Macbeth chief motives/traits | Courage, ambition |
Macbeth role in the play | Great man elevated beyond his abilities |
Macbeth quote | “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition…”(1, vii) |
Macbeth at the beginning of the play | Valiant general and Thane. Ambition tempered by scruples. ‘Rapt’ with Witches’ prophesy. |
Macbeth at the end of the play | Tyrannous King. Killed by Macduff. |
Lady macbeth | partner of Macbeth. Courage, ambition without morality. |
Lady macbeth | “Dearest partner of greatness”: Confidant and goad of Macbeth. |
Lady macbeth | “yet do I fear thy nature; It is too full of the milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way”(1, v) |
Lady macbeth | Strong, amoral, overcomes Macbeth’s scruples. Hatches plan to kill Duncan. |
Lady macbeth | Driven mad by remorse, kills herself. |
Duncan | Virtuous, wise King |
Duncan | Victim: represents overthrow of natural order. |
Duncan | Macbeth speaking of D: “this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear in his high office”(1, vii) |
Duncan | Places ‘absolute trust’ in Macbeth, and promotes him. |
Duncan | Murdered early in play by Macbeth. |
Banquo | and thaneAmbition and bravery tempered by caution. |
Banquo | Serves as foil to Macbeth’s ambition |
Banquo | “That, trusted home, might yet enkindle you unto the crown…”(1,iii) |
Banquo | Takes a more sceptical attitude to witches. |
Banquo | Murdered by Macbeth’s minions halfway through play. |
Macduff | Valour and shrewdness |
Macduff | Macbeth’s nemesis |
Macduff | “Despair thy charm …, Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripp’d”(5,vii) |
Macduff | Appears after Duncan’s murder. Immediately suspicious of Macbeth. |
Macduff | Kills Macbeth |
Ross | No real character |
Ross | ‘Messenger’: Shows how play is turning |
Ross | “Alas, poor country; almost afraid to know itself”(4,iii) |
Ross | Brings news of Macbeth’s promotion |
Ross | Goes over to Malcolm’s side. |
Malcolm | Goes over to Malcolm’s side. |
Malcolm | Retrieves rightful title: restores natural order. |
Malcolm | “Macbeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments”(4,iii) |
Malcolm | Named as Duncan’s heir. Flees to England after murder. |
Malcolm at the end of the play | Crowned King of Scotland |
The Witches chief motives/traits | Evildoers: Out to cause trouble |
The Witches role in the play | Play on Macbeth’s delusion |
The Witches quote | “By the pricking of my thumbs: Something wicked this way comes”(4,i) |
The Witches at the beginning of the play | Conspire to waylay Macbeth. |
The Witches at the end of the play | Delude Macbeth: Pave his descent into Hell |
Macbeth Character Chart
August 1, 2019