Macbeth Characters
M
Macbeth
Protagonist
Also known as: Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, King of Scotland
Brave
Ambitious
Susceptible to manipulation
Guilt-ridden
A brave and ambitious Scottish general and Thane of Glamis. He is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the Three Witches and murders King Duncan to seize the throne of Scotland. He is ultimately destroyed by his unchecked ambition and overwhelming guilt.
LM
Lady Macbeth
Antagonist
Also known as: The Fourth Witch
Ambitious
Manipulative
Influential
Ruthless
Macbeth's wife and one of Shakespeare's most infamous female characters. She is deeply ambitious and manipulative, forcing Macbeth to murder King Duncan. She is sometimes referred to as the fourth witch in the play.
B
Banquo
Supporting
Loyal
Noble
Thoughtful
Brave
Macbeth's close friend and a general in the Scottish army. The Witches prophesy that his children will inherit the throne of Scotland, making him a threat to Macbeth. His loyalty and nobility stand in contrast to Macbeth's moral decline.
KD
King Duncan
Supporting
Good
Virtuous
Respected
Trusting
The good and virtuous King of Scotland. His murder at Macbeth's hands marks Macbeth's point of no return. He is universally respected, and his death plunges Scotland into chaos.
M
Macduff
Antagonist
Loyal
Courageous
Suspicious
Grieving
A Scottish nobleman and Macbeth's nemesis. He suspects Macbeth of regicide and remains loyal to Scotland throughout. After Macbeth orders the murder of his family, Macduff ultimately kills Macbeth in the final confrontation.
TT
The Three Witches
Symbolic
Also known as: Weird Sisters
Prophetic
Manipulative
Chaotic
Supernatural
Supernatural beings who prophesy Macbeth's ascent to the throne and foretell that Banquo's heirs will become kings. They represent fate, temptation, and chaos, and are overseen by the goddess Hecate. Their prophecies set the central events of the play in motion.
M
Malcolm
Minor
Cautious
Rightful
Determined
Strategic
The eldest son of King Duncan and rightful heir to the Scottish throne. He flees Scotland after his father's murder but later returns to lead the army against Macbeth and reclaim the throne.
D
Donalbain
Minor
Cautious
Fearful
Pragmatic
The youngest son of King Duncan and brother to Malcolm. He flees Scotland for safety following his father's murder, fearing he may also be targeted.
F
Fleance
Minor
Innocent
Resilient
Symbolic
Banquo's young son who is targeted by Macbeth due to the witches' prophecy about Banquo's heirs. He escapes the assassination attempt, and his survival leaves open the possibility of Banquo's line inheriting the throne.
LM
Lady Macduff
Minor
Innocent
Loyal
Maternal
Courageous
Macduff's wife, who is murdered on Macbeth's orders along with her son. She represents innocence and a noble Scottish family destroyed by Macbeth's tyranny.
YM
Young Macduff
Minor
Innocent
Brave
Childlike
Macduff's young son, who is murdered by Macbeth's men. His death underscores the brutal extent of Macbeth's tyranny and the destruction of innocence.
L
Lennox
Minor
Observant
Loyal
Perceptive
A Scottish nobleman and thane who witnesses and comments on Scotland's descent into chaos under Macbeth's rule.
R
Ross
Minor
Observant
Diplomatic
Conflicted
A Scottish nobleman and thane who serves as a messenger and witness to the unfolding events in Scotland under Macbeth's tyranny.
A
Angus
Minor
Loyal
Observant
A Scottish nobleman and thane who witnesses Scotland's decline under Macbeth and joins the forces opposing him.
M
Menteith
Minor
Loyal
Observant
A Scottish nobleman and thane who joins the forces against Macbeth and comments on the chaos engulfing Scotland.
C
Caithness
Minor
Loyal
Observant
A Scottish nobleman and thane who opposes Macbeth and participates in the campaign to restore order to Scotland.
S
Seyton
Minor
Dutiful
Loyal
Subservient
Macbeth's chief servant in the later acts of the play. He attends to Macbeth during the final stages of his reign and downfall.
H
Hecate
Symbolic
Authoritative
Supernatural
Manipulative
Commanding
The goddess of witchcraft who oversees the Three Witches and their mischief. She influences the witches' prophecies and plays a role in manipulating Macbeth toward his destruction.
TP
The Porter
Minor
Comical
Drunken
Irreverent
Humorous
A drunken doorkeeper at Macbeth's castle who provides comic relief immediately following King Duncan's murder. His scene offers a brief tonal contrast to the surrounding tragedy.