MACBETH CHARACTER LIST
1. MACBETH
Scottish general.
Thane of Glamis.
Led to wicked thoughts by prophecies of three witches.
Especially after prophecy that he will be thane of Cawdor
comes true.
Brave soldier & powerful man, but not noble.
Easily tempted into murder to fulfil his ambitions to the throne.
Once he commits his first crime and is crowned King of
Scotland, he goes on to commit other heinous crimes with
growing ease.
Proves himself better suited to the battlefield than political
intrigue.
Lacks the skills necessary to rule without being a tyrant.
Response to every problem -> violence & murder.
Never comfortable in his role as a criminal.
Unable to bear the psychological consequences of his crimes.
2. LADY MACBETH
Macbeth’s wife.
Deeply ambitious woman.
Lusts for power and position.
Seems to be stronger & more ruthless of the two early in the
play.
Urges her husband to kill Duncan & seize the crown.
After the bloodshed begins LM falls victim to guilt & madness
more than M.
Ultimately driven to suicide by her conscience.
Depicted as being deeply in love with M.
Many of her speeches imply her influence over M is primarily
sexual.
LM & M’s joint alienation from the world, caused by their
partnership in crime, seems to make them more devoted to one
another.
1. MACBETH
Scottish general.
Thane of Glamis.
Led to wicked thoughts by prophecies of three witches.
Especially after prophecy that he will be thane of Cawdor
comes true.
Brave soldier & powerful man, but not noble.
Easily tempted into murder to fulfil his ambitions to the throne.
Once he commits his first crime and is crowned King of
Scotland, he goes on to commit other heinous crimes with
growing ease.
Proves himself better suited to the battlefield than political
intrigue.
Lacks the skills necessary to rule without being a tyrant.
Response to every problem -> violence & murder.
Never comfortable in his role as a criminal.
Unable to bear the psychological consequences of his crimes.
2. LADY MACBETH
Macbeth’s wife.
Deeply ambitious woman.
Lusts for power and position.
Seems to be stronger & more ruthless of the two early in the
play.
Urges her husband to kill Duncan & seize the crown.
After the bloodshed begins LM falls victim to guilt & madness
more than M.
Ultimately driven to suicide by her conscience.
Depicted as being deeply in love with M.
Many of her speeches imply her influence over M is primarily
sexual.
LM & M’s joint alienation from the world, caused by their
partnership in crime, seems to make them more devoted to one
another.
