Characters
Though Macbeth has quite a range of characters, the play revolves around the title character and his wife. You'll find a quick overview of the main characters below, though Macbeth and his wife have their own pages!
Though Macbeth has quite a range of characters, the play revolves around the title character and his wife. You'll find a quick overview of the main characters below, though Macbeth and his wife have their own pages!
Macbeth: The title character of the play is also its main focus. Macbeth's motivations are often unclear, though he definitely does kill Duncan and go on to become a tyrant king, interested only in his protecting what he's won.
Macbeth: The title character of the play is also its main focus. Macbeth's motivations are often unclear, though he definitely does kill Duncan and go on to become a tyrant king, interested only in his protecting what he's won.
When looking at Macbeth, the crucial question is how much influence the witches had over his actions: did they awaken his won ambition or did they plant the idea in his head? This comes down to a question of agency - which means the ability to control your own action. If Macbeth is under the control of the witches then this is a play about witchcraft; if Macbeth is in control of himself then it's a play about ambition.
When looking at Macbeth, the crucial question is how much influence the witches had over his actions: did they awaken his won ambition or did they plant the idea in his head? This comes down to a question of agency - which means the ability to control your own action. If Macbeth is under the control of the witches then this is a play about witchcraft; if Macbeth is in control of himself then it's a play about ambition.
Remember that you don't have to decide, you just have to recognise the arguments...
Remember that you don't have to decide, you just have to recognise the arguments...
Lady Macbeth: Though Macbeth's wife isn't in the play as much as her husband, she steals every scene she's in and is considered to be one of the greatest characters in English Literature. It's clear that she dominates her husband; she suggests and then plans the killing of Duncan - leaving her husband the task of doing the deed itself.
Lady Macbeth: Though Macbeth's wife isn't in the play as much as her husband, she steals every scene she's in and is considered to be one of the greatest characters in English Literature. It's clear that she dominates her husband; she suggests and then plans the killing of Duncan - leaving her husband the task of doing the deed itself.
Despite this, there is a strong case for saying that her narrative arc is a little under-developed. Right up until the end of Act 3 she's presented as a confident, driven killer, without compassion or mercy. Then she vanishes for the whole of Act 4, before returning, wracked with remorse, and then supposedly kills herself off stage. Though, she might be a witch, which might explain a lot...
Despite this, there is a strong case for saying that her narrative arc is a little under-developed. Right up until the end of Act 3 she's presented as a confident, driven killer, without compassion or mercy. Then she vanishes for the whole of Act 4, before returning, wracked with remorse, and then supposedly kills herself off stage. Though, she might be a witch, which might explain a lot...
Banquo: Macbeth's best friend isn't in the play a lot, though he does play a coupe of crucial roles: during the opening battle he and Macbeth take on the Norwegians between them and this highlights their friendship and loyalty for one-another. As a result, when Macbeth orders his death we can tell that Macbeth's role reversal is complete; Macbeth is no longer the loyal man he was at the beginning, and has become, officially, a baddie.
Banquo: Macbeth's best friend isn't in the play a lot, though he does play a coupe of crucial roles: during the opening battle he and Macbeth take on the Norwegians between them and this highlights their friendship and loyalty for one-another. As a result, when Macbeth orders his death we can tell that Macbeth's role reversal is complete; Macbeth is no longer the loyal man he was at the beginning, and has become, officially, a baddie.
However, arguably the most significant role Banquo plays isn't actually in the play. Though the rumours turned out to be untrue, it was suggested that King James was a distant relative of the original Banquo and so, when the witches claim that Banquo's descendants would become kings they were really referring to the real King James himself.
However, arguably the most significant role Banquo plays isn't actually in the play. Though the rumours turned out to be untrue, it was suggested that King James was a distant relative of the original Banquo and so, when the witches claim that Banquo's descendants would become kings they were really referring to the real King James himself.
King Duncan: A good king - but perhaps a little naive - Duncan is killed at the start of Act 2.
King Duncan: A good king - but perhaps a little naive - Duncan is killed at the start of Act 2.
Macduff: The "hero" of the play, since he kills Macbeth in the end. Macduff is notable for choosing his loyalty for the crown over his loyalty to his wife.
Macduff: The "hero" of the play, since he kills Macbeth in the end. Macduff is notable for choosing his loyalty for the crown over his loyalty to his wife.
Malcolm: The rightful heir to Duncan's throne, Malcolm is smart enough to spot that something is wrong with Macbeth.
Malcolm: The rightful heir to Duncan's throne, Malcolm is smart enough to spot that something is wrong with Macbeth.
