Macbeth Characters List: Major & Minor Characters Shakespeare's Macbeth
By Tanmoy Kumar Bhattacharjya
In this article you will find the list of Characters In Macbeth. Macbeth characters list has been provided here in this article.
Major traits of all the characters in Macbeth have been discussed too.
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Macbeth Characters List: Major & Minor Characters Shakespeare's Macbeth
Shakespeare's Macbeth:An Overview
Macbeth is a famous tragedy written by William Shakespeare in the early 17th century. It is a story about the downfall of a Scottish general, Macbeth, who is tempted by a prophecy of becoming king and ultimately becomes a tyrant. The play is filled with complex characters who are driven by ambition, greed, and guilt. In this article, we will analyze the characters in Macbeth and their significance in the play.
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Macbeth character List
This article discusses all the major and minor characters from Macbeth
1. Character of Macbeth
The central character of the play, Macbeth, is a tragic hero who is led astray by his ambition and desire for power. At the beginning of the play, Macbeth is a respected general who is loyal to the King of Scotland. However, when he hears a prophecy that he will become king, he becomes consumed by his desire for power and begins to plot the murder of the king. Macbeth's tragic flaw is his ambition, which leads him to commit murder and ultimately causes his downfall.
Major Traits in the Character of Macbeth
- Ambition: Macbeth is a very ambitious character, and it is his ambition that ultimately leads to his downfall. He is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals, even if it means sacrificing his morals and betraying those closest to him.
- Guilt: Macbeth is consumed by guilt throughout the play, particularly after he murders King Duncan. He is haunted by his actions and cannot escape the guilt and shame he feels for his crimes.
- Indecisiveness: Despite his ambition, Macbeth is often indecisive and hesitant. He is torn between his desire for power and his sense of morality, and he struggles to make decisions as a result.
- Fear: Macbeth is also driven by fear, particularly after he realizes the extent of his crimes and the consequences they may bring. He is afraid of losing his power, but he is also afraid of the supernatural forces that seem to be working against him.
- Paranoia: As the play progresses, Macbeth becomes increasingly paranoid and distrustful of those around him. He sees enemies and conspiracies everywhere, and his paranoia ultimately leads to his downfall.
- Hubris: Macbeth is also guilty of hubris, or excessive pride. He believes that he is invincible and that he can overcome any obstacle, but this arrogance ultimately leads to his downfall.
- Violence: Macbeth is a violent character, and he is responsible for numerous murders throughout the play. He is willing to use violence to achieve his goals and to eliminate any threats to his power.
2. Character of Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is the wife of Macbeth and is portrayed as a strong and ambitious woman. She is the driving force behind Macbeth's ambition and convinces him to commit the murder of the king. Lady Macbeth's ambition and desire for power are greater than Macbeth's, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals. However, her guilt eventually consumes her, and she commits suicide.
Major Traits in the Character of Lady Macbeth
- Ambition: Lady Macbeth is extremely ambitious and desires power and wealth. She sees her husband's potential to become king and urges him to take action to make it happen.
- Manipulative: Lady Macbeth is highly skilled in manipulating her husband to achieve her goals. She questions his manhood and convinces him to murder King Duncan, even though he initially has reservations.
- Strong-willed: Lady Macbeth is very determined and does not give up easily. She is committed to the plan to make her husband king and will do whatever it takes to make it happen.
- Guilt-ridden: Despite her initial confidence and determination, Lady Macbeth becomes consumed with guilt after the murder of Duncan. She is haunted by the blood on her hands and begins to unravel mentally.
- Ambiguous: Lady Macbeth's character is often ambiguous and mysterious. She is not always transparent about her motives or emotions, and her true nature remains somewhat enigmatic.
- Supportive: Lady Macbeth is fiercely supportive of her husband, even when he becomes increasingly unstable and violent. She continues to encourage him and stand by his side, even as their plans spiral out of control.
- Ruthless: Lady Macbeth is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve her goals, even if it means sacrificing the lives of others. She has a ruthless streak and is not afraid to use violence and manipulation to get what she wants.
3. Character of Banquo
Banquo is a Scottish general and friend of Macbeth. He is present when the witches make their prophecy and is also a target of their predictions. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo resists the temptation of power and remains loyal to the king. He is eventually murdered by Macbeth, but his son Fleance escapes, fulfilling the witches' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will become kings.
Major Traits in the Character of Banquo
- Brave: Banquo is a brave and valiant character, as evidenced by his actions in the play. He fights alongside Macbeth in the battle against the rebels and doesn't show any fear in the face of danger.
- Loyal: Banquo is fiercely loyal to his friend and ally, Macbeth. He doesn't waver in his support for Macbeth, even when he begins to suspect that Macbeth has committed heinous crimes.
- Honorable: Banquo is an honorable character who values integrity and honesty. He refuses to compromise his principles for personal gain and always acts in a manner that he believes is just and righteous.
- Wise: Banquo is a wise character who possesses great insight and intuition. He is able to see through Macbeth's lies and deceit and realizes that Macbeth's actions are driven by his ambition rather than his loyalty to the king.
- Cautious: Banquo is a cautious character who is hesitant to act without thinking things through. He is aware of the dangers of ambition and warns Macbeth against its pitfalls.
- Skeptical: Banquo is a skeptical character who is not easily swayed by the supernatural. He is wary of the witches' prophecies and does not believe in their power to predict the future.
4. The Witches in Macbeth
The witches are the supernatural beings who prophesize Macbeth's rise to power. They are ambiguous characters who are neither good nor evil but are rather agents of fate. Their prophecies drive the action of the play, and their presence creates a sense of foreboding and supernatural atmosphere.
Major Traits in the characters of the Witches in Macbeth
In Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," witches are depicted as supernatural beings with distinct traits that set them apart from ordinary humans. Here are some important traits of the witches in Macbeth:
- Supernatural powers: The witches have supernatural powers that allow them to foretell the future, create illusions, and control natural elements like storms and fog.
- Gender ambiguity: The witches' gender is ambiguous, as they are referred to as "weird sisters" and "black and midnight hags." This ambiguity challenges the traditional gender roles of Shakespearean society.
- Ambiguity of morality: The witches are portrayed as morally ambiguous characters, as their prophecies can be interpreted as either good or bad, depending on the interpretation.
- Prophecy: The witches are known for their ability to predict the future, which sets in motion the tragic events of the play.
- Manipulation: The witches manipulate Macbeth through their prophecies and their appearance, leading him down a path of destruction.
- Association with darkness and evil: The witches are associated with darkness, evil, and the supernatural, which reflects the play's themes of ambition, greed, and the corrupting influence of power.
- Otherworldly appearance: The witches have a grotesque appearance, with beards, pointed teeth, and strange clothing, which adds to their otherworldly nature.
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5. Character of Macduff
Macduff is a Scottish nobleman who is loyal to the king and opposes Macbeth's tyrannical rule. He is suspicious of Macbeth from the start and becomes a threat to his reign. Macduff's family is murdered on Macbeth's orders, which leads to his vow of revenge and eventual killing of Macbeth.
Major Traits in the character of Macduff
- Loyal: Macduff is shown to be extremely loyal to his country and his king. He is initially suspicious of Macbeth's rise to power and refuses to attend his coronation.
- Brave: Macduff is a courageous warrior who fights bravely for his country. He is the one who kills Macbeth in the final battle.
- Honorable: Macduff is an honorable man who refuses to compromise his principles. He is deeply disturbed by the murder of King Duncan and the subsequent rise of Macbeth to the throne.
- Patriotic: Macduff is deeply committed to Scotland and its people. He is willing to risk his own life to protect his country from its enemies.
- Emotional: Macduff is not afraid to express his emotions. He is deeply affected by the loss of his wife and children at the hands of Macbeth's henchmen, and he mourns their deaths openly.
- Determined: Macduff is a determined man who is relentless in his pursuit of justice. He is determined to put an end to Macbeth's tyrannical rule and restore order to Scotland.
- Wise: Macduff is a wise man who is respected by his peers. He is often called upon to provide counsel and advice to others, and his opinions are highly valued.
6. Character of Duncan
Duncan is the King of Scotland at the beginning of the play. He is a good and just king, but his trusting nature and lack of suspicion make him vulnerable to Macbeth's schemes. Duncan's murder sets off the chain of events that lead to Macbeth's downfall.
Major Traits in the character of Duncan in Macbeth
- Trusting: Duncan is a trusting and kind-hearted king, who genuinely believes that his subjects are loyal to him. This trust ultimately leads to his downfall, as he is betrayed by Macbeth.
- Naive: Although Duncan is a skilled warrior and leader, he is also somewhat naive and easily deceived. He does not see through Macbeth's lies and is taken in by his false loyalty.
- Generous: Duncan is a generous king, who rewards his loyal subjects with titles, honors, and gifts. This generosity is a stark contrast to Macbeth's greed and ambition.
- Wise: Despite his naivete, Duncan is also a wise king who understands the importance of justice and the rule of law. He punishes the traitorous Thane of Cawdor and rewards the valiant Macbeth and Banquo.
- Humble: Duncan is a humble king who is willing to listen to the advice of his subjects and to learn from their wisdom. He is not arrogant or self-important, and he values the opinions of others.
7. Character of Malcolm
Malcolm is Duncan's son and the rightful heir to the throne. He flees to England after his father's murder, but later returns with an army to defeat Macbeth and reclaim the throne. Malcolm's character serves as a contrast to Macbeth, as he is a virtuous and just leader who is loyal to his country.
8. Character of Ross
Ross is a Scottish nobleman who serves as a messenger throughout the play. He delivers news of Macbeth's victories and later reports on Macduff's family's murder. Ross's character represents the loyal and patriotic Scottish nobility who are disturbed by Macbeth's reign.
9. Character of The Porter
The Porter is a minor character who provides comic relief in the play. He is the gatekeeper of Macbeth's castle and is drunk when he is woken up by Macduff. The Porter's drunken ramblings and jokes serve as a contrast to the play's dark and serious tone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Macbeth is a play filled with complex characters who are driven by their ambition, guilt, and desire for power. Macbeth's tragic flaw is his ambition, which ultimately causes his downfall, while Lady Macbeth's ambition and guilt lead to her suicide. Banquo remains loyal to the king, and the witches are the ambiguous agents of fate who drive the action of the play. Shakespeare's portrayal of these characters creates a timeless masterpiece that is still relevant today.
FAQs on Macbeth Character List
FAQs on Macbeth character list
Q: Who is Macbeth?
A: Macbeth is the main protagonist in William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth." He is a Scottish nobleman who becomes consumed by his ambition to become king and eventually descends into madness and tyranny.
Q: Who is Lady Macbeth?
A: Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's wife and one of the play's central characters. She is a strong-willed and ambitious woman who goads Macbeth into committing regicide and subsequently descends into guilt and madness.
Q: Who is Duncan?
A: Duncan is the King of Scotland at the beginning of the play. He is a wise and just ruler who is ultimately betrayed and murdered by Macbeth.
Q: Who is Banquo?
A: Banquo is a Scottish nobleman and one of Macbeth's closest friends. He is present when the witches prophesy that Macbeth will become king and is later murdered by Macbeth in order to prevent his descendants from inheriting the throne.
Q: Who are the witches?
A: The witches, also known as the Weird Sisters, are three supernatural beings who prophesy Macbeth's rise to power and eventual downfall. They are a major source of the play's supernatural elements and contribute to Macbeth's descent into madness.
Q: Who is Macduff?
A: Macduff is a Scottish nobleman and the play's main antagonist. He is initially suspicious of Macbeth's rise to power and ultimately becomes instrumental in bringing about his downfall.
Q: Who is Malcolm?
A: Malcolm is the son of King Duncan and the rightful heir to the throne of Scotland. He flees to England after his father's murder but later returns to lead an army against Macbeth.
Q: Who is Fleance?
A: Fleance is Banquo's son and a minor character in the play. He escapes Macbeth's attempt to have him murdered and is prophesied to eventually become king.
Q: Who is Ross?
A: Ross is a Scottish nobleman and a messenger throughout the play. He delivers news to various characters, including Macbeth and Macduff.
Q: Who is Lennox?
A: Lennox is a Scottish nobleman and a minor character in the play. He is present at various key moments, including the murder of King Duncan and the discovery of Banquo's body.
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