English Macbeth

English Macbeth

1. Characters

   • Macbeth
     • Ambitious Scottish nobleman. Murders the King of Scotland and takes his place (Duncan)
   • Lady Macbeth
     • Macbeth's wife.drives Macbeth to kill King Duncan: eventually goes mad and kills herself
   • Duncan
     • King of Scotland at the start of the play Macbeth murders him
   • Malcolm
     • Duncan's son he flees after Duncan is murdered and is King at the end of the play
   • Macduff
     • Noble soldier. Doesn't trust Macbeth and kills him eventually
   • Lady Macduff
     • Her and her children killed
   • Banquo
     • Brave soldier and nobleman. Friends with Macbeth but Macbeth killed him
   • Three witches
     • Are evil supernatural beings who can predict the future.

2. Context & Themes

   • Ambition
     • Ambition motivates Macbeth into committing a sin
       • Changes him from a "valiant" soldier to a "dead butcher"
     • Play shows how ambition is dangerous as it became quickly out of control
       • Once Macbeth starts killing he has to kill more people to get what he wants
         • Shows ambition can create a monster and make people ruthless and selfish
     • Macbeth and lady Macbeth are eventually destroyed by their ambition
       • Message from the play can be a warning against ambition that it isn't balanced by reason or morals