Outline of the main characters from Macbeth by William Shakespeare

As part of our FREE character profiles for 12 key GCSE texts. We want to help you revise and learn GCSE English and GCSE English Literature to your full potential.

We have listed profiles of the key characters from Macbeth by William Shakespeare below. We hope the information provided helps you with your GCSE English and your GCSE English Literature.

Macbeth – Initially Macbeth is a general and nobleman. Macbeth is courageous and powerful but not virtuous. Macbeth commits murder in order to become king. After this crime he goes on to commit more but is racked with feelings of guilt which eventually lead to his decline.

Lady Macbeth – Lady Macbeth is Macbeth’s wife. She is a power hungry and ambitious woman and encourages her husband to commit murder in order to become king. She uses her sexuality to control her husband’s actions. In the play the couple’s involvement in crimes bring them closer together. Lady Macbeth’s guilty conscience causes her to go mad and commit suicide.

The Three Witches – The Three Witches use their prophecies and spells to manipulate Macbeth into committing murder. When the Three Witches prediction that Macbeth will become king comes true, it causes him to believe them when they say that he is immortal. The Three Witches are Hecate’s servants who use their knowledge to interfere with the human characters fate and to destroy Macbeth.

Banquo –Banquo is a virtuous nobleman and general. The Three Witches predict that Banquo’s children are heirs to the throne. However, unlike Macbeth, Banquo does not act on their premonitions. When Macbeth kills Banquo his ghost continues to haunt him. This haunting serves to contrast the violent character of Macbeth with Banquo’s and highlights the path Macbeth should have taken instead.

King Duncan – King Duncan is the well respected King of Scotland whom Macbeth, murders in order to seize the crown. His death and Macbeth’s claim to the throne represents the decline of order and the rise of a tyrant. This is resolved when his son Malcolm becomes King of Scotland at the end of the play.

Macduff – Macduff is the nobleman who leads a crusade to usurp Macbeth’s position as king. Macbeth murders Macduff’s son and wife so Macduff gets his revenge by killing Macbeth at the end of the play.

Malcolm –Malcolm is Duncan’s son. He flees Scotland when Macbeth murders his father. Order is returned to Scotland when he becomes king.

Hecate – Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft. She helps the three witches to mislead Macbeth.

Fleance – Fleance is Banquo’s son. He survives when Macbeth tries to murder him. He disappears at the end of the play. He may one day reappear as king, thus fulfilling the witches’ prophecy.

Lennox – Lennox is a nobleman.

Ross – Ross is a nobleman.

The Murderers – The murderers are a group who are hired by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (unsuccessfully), and Macduff’s wife and children.

Porter – Porter is a drunken doorman working at Macbeth’s castle.

Lady Macduff –Lady Macduff is Macduff’s wife. The scene of her in her home is a stark contrast of Lady Macbeth’s castle.

Donalbain – Donalbain is Duncan’s son and younger brother to Malcolm’s.

Be sure check out our GCSE Shakespeare learning songs

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.