Macbeth Character Relationships and Roles
Macbeth
Relation: Married to Lady Macbeth. No children.
Involved with: He is influenced by the Weird Sisters, manipulated by Lady Macbeth, kills
King Duncan, becomes paranoid about Banquo, and is ultimately killed by Macduff. Interacts
politically with Malcolm and other Scottish nobles.
What they do: Starts loyal, hears prophecy, murders Duncan, becomes king, turns tyrant,
orders more murders, goes off the rails, gets killed by Macduff.
Lady Macbeth
Relation: Married to Macbeth.
Involved with: She manipulates Macbeth to kill Duncan, hosts Duncan at their castle, covers
for Macbeth’s guilt, and deteriorates mentally due to guilt.
What they do: Drives Macbeth to kill Duncan, spirals into guilt, sleepwalks, dies off-stage
(likely suicide).
King Duncan
Relation: Father to Malcolm and Donalbain.
Involved with: Rewards Macbeth for bravery, stays at Macbeth’s castle, is betrayed and
murdered by Macbeth.
What they do: Rules fairly, promotes Macbeth, gets murdered while asleep in Macbeth’s
castle.
Malcolm
Relation: Son of Duncan, brother to Donalbain.
Involved with: Flees with Donalbain after Duncan’s death, later tests Macduff’s loyalty,
raises an army with Siward’s help, defeats Macbeth.
What they do: Flees after Duncan’s murder, tests Macduff’s loyalty, returns with an army,
becomes king.
Macbeth
Relation: Married to Lady Macbeth. No children.
Involved with: He is influenced by the Weird Sisters, manipulated by Lady Macbeth, kills
King Duncan, becomes paranoid about Banquo, and is ultimately killed by Macduff. Interacts
politically with Malcolm and other Scottish nobles.
What they do: Starts loyal, hears prophecy, murders Duncan, becomes king, turns tyrant,
orders more murders, goes off the rails, gets killed by Macduff.
Lady Macbeth
Relation: Married to Macbeth.
Involved with: She manipulates Macbeth to kill Duncan, hosts Duncan at their castle, covers
for Macbeth’s guilt, and deteriorates mentally due to guilt.
What they do: Drives Macbeth to kill Duncan, spirals into guilt, sleepwalks, dies off-stage
(likely suicide).
King Duncan
Relation: Father to Malcolm and Donalbain.
Involved with: Rewards Macbeth for bravery, stays at Macbeth’s castle, is betrayed and
murdered by Macbeth.
What they do: Rules fairly, promotes Macbeth, gets murdered while asleep in Macbeth’s
castle.
Malcolm
Relation: Son of Duncan, brother to Donalbain.
Involved with: Flees with Donalbain after Duncan’s death, later tests Macduff’s loyalty,
raises an army with Siward’s help, defeats Macbeth.
What they do: Flees after Duncan’s murder, tests Macduff’s loyalty, returns with an army,
becomes king.
