Macbeth : Characters

Characters

Major Characters

• Macbeth: Protagonist. A brave and ambitious Scottish general and Thane of Glamis. He is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the Three Witches. He becomes King of Scotland after murdering King Duncan, and is ultimately destroyed by his unchecked ambition and guilt.
• Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife and one of Shakespeare’s most infamous female characters. Ambitious, manipulative, and deeply influential over Macbeth. She forces Macbeth to kill King Duncan. She is considered as the 4th witch in “Macbeth”.
• Banquo: Macbeth’s close friend and a general in the Scottish army. Loyal, noble, and thoughtful. The Witches prophesy that his children will inherit the throne of Scotland. This makes him a threat to Macbeth.
• King Duncan: The good and virtuous King of Scotland. His murder marks Macbeth’s point of no return. All respect him, and his death drops Scotland into chaos.
• Macduff: A Scottish nobleman and Macbeth’s nemesis. Loyal to Scotland, he suspects Macbeth of regicide. He kills Macbeth after Macbeth murders his family.
• The Three Witches (Weird Sisters): Supernatural beings who prophesize Macbeth’s ascent to the throne and Banquo’s heirs becoming kings. They represent fate, temptation, and chaos.

Minor Characters

• Malcolm: Eldest son of King Duncan and rightful heir to the Scottish throne. He flees after his father’s murder and later returns to lead the army against Macbeth.
• Donalbain: Youngest son of Duncan and Malcolm’s brother. He also flees Scotland for safety after Duncan’s murder.
• Fleance: Banquo’s young son. Targeted by Macbeth due to the witches’ prophecy, but escapes, and his survival leaves hope for Banquo’s line.
• Lady Macduff: Macduff’s wife, who is murdered on Macbeth’s orders. She represents innocence destroyed by Macbeth’s tyranny.
• Young Macduff: Macduff’s son, also murdered by Macbeth’s men.
• Lennox, Ross, Angus, Menteith, Caithness: Scottish noblemen and thanes who witness and comment on Scotland’s descent into chaos under Macbeth.
• Seyton: Macbeth’s chief servant in the later acts.
• Hecate: The goddess of witchcraft, who oversees the witches’ mischief and influences their prophecies.
• The Porter: A comical, drunken doorkeeper at Macbeth’s castle who provides comic relief just after Duncan’s murder.
• Other Soldiers and Attendants: Various lords, officers, gentlewomen, doctors, and messengers contribute to the action and atmosphere of the play.

Major Couples & Connections

• Macbeth and Lady Macbeth: The central married couple known for their strong but ultimately destructive partnership.
• Macduff and Lady Macduff: A representation of a loyal, noble Scottish family destroyed by Macbeth’s tyranny.

Key Friendships & Rivalries

• Macbeth and Banquo: Close friends-turned-rivals because of prophecy and ambition.
• Macbeth and Macduff: The central rivalry leading to Macbeth’s downfall.

Supernatural Connections

• The Witches and Hecate: Together, they manipulate Macbeth and influence the events of the play.