Side note: all these images have been made with the aid of A.I. and any resemblance to any actual persons is purely coincidental
Macbeth
- Main character
- Initially a brave and loyal warrior for the King of Scotland
- Driven by ambition and a desire for power
- Murders King Duncan (between Act 2 Scene 1 & Act 2 Scene 2)
- Becomes a ruthless and tyrannical ruler, consumed by guilt and paranoia
- Killed by Macduff in Act 5 Scene 8
Lady Macbeth
- Wife of Macbeth.
- Encourages her husband to kill King Duncan
- Cold and calculating, and able to manipulate Macbeth into committing the murder.
- Eventually consumed by guilt and driven mad by the consequences of her actions
- News of her death reaches Macbeth in Act 5 Scene 5
Banquo
- Brave and honorable warrior who serves alongside Macbeth.
- Best friend of Macbeth, but is wary of his ambition and desire for power.
- Witnesses the witches’ prophecy who say that his descendants will be kings.
- Killed in Act 3 scene 3 by assassins hired by Macbeth
- Banquo’s ghost haunts Macbeth during banquet scene (Act 3 Scene 4)
- Banquo is a foil to Macbeth, highlighting the latter’s moral descent and corruption.
The Witches
- Supernatural evil beings also known as the “weird sisters”
- Depicted as dark and malevolent, with the ability to predict the future and influence events
- First appear to Macbeth and Banquo on a heath (Act 1 Scene 3) where they tell Macbeth he will become the King of Scotland and Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
- Represent darkness and chaos that Macbeth unleashes by choosing to follow his ambition
King Duncan
- Rightful King of Scotland.
- Good and just ruler, who is well-respected by his subjects.
- Rewards Macbeth and Banquo for their bravery in battle by giving them titles and lands.
- Trusts Macbeth and sees him as a loyal and brave subject.
- Naive and unaware of the danger that Macbeth poses to his throne.
- Eventually murdered by Macbeth, who becomes the new king of Scotland.
- The murder of Duncan marks the beginning of Macbeth’s descent into tyranny and madness.
Macduff
- A nobleman and warrior in Scotland.
- Loyal to King Duncan and is deeply shocked and saddened by Duncan’s murder.
- One of key figures in the resistance against Macbeth’s tyrannical rule.
- Brave and honorable character, who is willing to stand up against injustice and fight for what is right.
- Driven by a personal desire for revenge, as Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s wife and children.
- Eventually confronts and defeats Macbeth in single combat, bringing an end to Macbeth’s rule and restoring order to Scotland.
Prince Malcolm
- Son of King Duncan and the prince of Scotland.
- After Duncan’s murder, Malcolm flees to England to seek help in overthrowing Macbeth and reclaiming the throne.
- Initially depicted as a weak and indecisive character, but he grows and matures over the course of the play.
- Eventually returns to Scotland with an army to challenge Macbeth’s rule.
- Malcolm is a strong and capable leader, who is willing to do whatever it takes to restore justice to Scotland.
- Ultimately successful in defeating Macbeth and reclaiming the throne, becoming the new king of Scotland.
