Macbeth: Character Profiles

Macbeth: Character Profiles

Macbeth

• An initially honourable and respected General in King Duncan’s service.
• His ambition is incited by the witches’ prophecy that he will be King.
• Throughout the play, his ambition outweighs his moral judgement.
• His sense of guilt and paranoia increase as the play progresses.
• Known for his bravery, ambition, and self-doubt.

Lady Macbeth

• Macbeth’s wife and the driving force behind his ambition.
• She manipulates and emasculates Macbeth to pursue the prophecy.
• Early in the play, she appears stronger, harsher, and more ambitious than her husband.
• As the play progresses, she begins to feel remorse and guilt, leading to her eventual madness and suicide.

Banquo

• A nobleman and close friend of Macbeth.
• He is present when the witches present their prophecies to Macbeth.
• The witches predict he will father future kings, which motivates Macbeth’s decision to kill him later on.
• His ghost haunts Macbeth, symbolising Macbeth’s guilt.

Duncan

• He is the good and benevolent King of Scotland, who Macbeth murders.
• Known for being generous, trusting, and a good judge of character.
• His murder represents a significant turning point in the play.

Macduff

• He is a loyal Scottish nobleman, opposes Macbeth’s treason, and eventually kills him.
• Responsible for gathering the forces that depose Macbeth.
• Motivated by personal revenge following Macbeth’s murder of his family.

The Witches (The Weird Sisters)

• Supernatural beings who predict Macbeth’s path to kingship.
• Their prophecies influence Macbeth’s actions and contribute to his downfall.
• Represents fate, the supernatural, and the inevitability of Macbeth’s fall from grace.

Malcolm

• Older son of King Duncan and the rightful heir to the throne.
• His character represents the return of rightful order after Macbeth’s reign.