Macbeth 2

Character study

Characters are the people in the story. There are many different kinds of characters in a story, just like there are many different people in the world.

A protagonist is a main character who is a “good” person.

An antagonist is a person (or thing)who works against the protagonist.

Protagonists and Antagonists

Macbeth is the play’s protagonist, but sometimes he is his own worst enemy.

The three witches are the antagonists in the play.

Who’s Who in the Play

The Characters

Macbeth is the main character in the play. He is a brave hero and a loyal subject. However, supernatural events cause the hero to become a brutal murderer.

Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife and a cold and heartless woman. The scary thing is, she knows exactly what she is doing.

Banquo is a brave general and nobleman who is calm and fearless. He is Macbeth’s friend and a loyal subject to King Duncan. Banquo is ambitious, but does not act on his thoughts.

Fleance is Banquo’s son. He manages to stay alive after Macbeth attempts to kill him. At the end of the play, Fleance’s whereabouts are unknown.

The Characters

King Duncan is the king of Scotland. He is a good king, but puts his trust in the wrong people. Duncan rules Scotland with kindness and generosity.

Malcolm and Donalbain are King Duncan’s sons. Malcolm, the eldest, lives in England; Donalbain, the younger brother, really isn’t talked about that much.

The Characters

The Macduffs are a noble family. Lord Macduff is a good-hearted man who goes to England to get help when he learns of Duncan’s death. While away, his wife and son are murdered.

Although minor characters, the witches play a HUGE role in the play. Sometimes called the weird sisters, the witches see the future and, with their supernatural powers, warn Macbeth about their visions.

The Characters

Ross is a nobleman and Macduff's cousin. He often acts as a messenger, bringing news of Macbeth’s military victories and word of other characters’ fates.

Lennox is one of Duncan's noblemen and is, for the most part, an observer in the play. He becomes suspicious of Macbeth, and grows increasingly sarcastic and concerned for the fate of Scotland.

The Characters

Siward is the Earl of Northumberland and general of the English forces who is also an ally of Malcolm and Macduff. Young Siward is Siward's son. Macbeth kills him in hand-to-hand combat.

The Porter is the steward, keeper or butler, in Macbeth's castle. Although his part is small, he brings a touch of humor to the play. He is awakened abruptly and imagines that he is the keeper of Hell's Gate.

The Characters

Hecate is the goddess of witches. She sort of tells the witches what to do, and helps to lead Macbeth down a path of self-destruction.

Lenox, Rosse, Menteith, Angus, and Caithness are all Scottish noblemen. Their main role is to help move the story along, and Rosse has the biggest part.

The Characters