Macbeth Characters

Macbeth Characters

1. Macbeth

   • Initially awesomely courageous
     • Appears to be loyal, patriotic and noble
   • Develops into an ambitious and deceptive character
     • Becomes ruthless, callous and tyrannical
   • Ultimately is he world weary, philosophical
     • Brave (A trait that stays with him through the play)
       • He is defiant
   • thane of Cawdor a brave and valiant soldier Has many weakness like: being indecisive, often ask too many questions, starts to see visions unsure of himself

2. Lady Macbeth

   • Initially ambitious, unscrupulous and ruthless
     • False and deceptive like her husband
       • Manipulative and persuasive
   • Ultimately she is guilt-ridden, traumatised and unstable
   • ife to Macbeth and is a strong character: ambitious often manipulates husband calculating can remain in control powerful deranged

3. Banquo

   • Patriotic, loyal, noble, honourable
     • Perceptive, shrewd, astute, honest, truthful
   • Ultimately he is ambitious for his sons and corrupt to a certain degree.
   • Macbeth's close friend: good at avoiding temptations gets suspicious presented as a very brave and completely loyal soldier

4. The Witches

   • Cruel and callous
   • Evil, malevolent, malignant, malign
     • Vengeful, vindictive, spiteful
   • Devilish fiendish
   • HECATE
     • Vengeful, wants revenge on Macbeth for being Ignorant of the tellings the witches made
     • Annoyed with the witches for telling Macbeth about his future, without her
     • Pure EVIL
       • Has plans of what to do to Macbeth
         • 'Shall draw him onto his confusion'
           • Make his life hell.
     • Dominant tone throughout her speech
     • Powerful - she is a 'Goddess' and has control over the witches and tells them what to do
       • Tells them to meet tomorrow 'your vessels and your spells provide charm, your charms and everything beside.'

5. MacDuff

   • Is a lord, eventually kills Macbeth because of "unborn natural" He is seen as completely loyal to Duncan and his country He is brave, swearing to investigate the murder and he doesn't go to see Macbeth crowned. His family is killed by lead character

6. Duncan

   • Kind King
   • Loved by all
   • Respected by all and lots of Loyalty
   • Perceptive - know when someone is lying (former Than of Cawdor)
   • Malcolm
     • Son of Duncan: named as the Prince of Cumberland, so will inherit the throne from his father. runs away before getting murdered and convinces Macduff to dethrone Macbeth as he is responsible for Duncan's death