After Macbeth murders Macduff’s wife and son, he becomes vengeful. Macduff Character Traits – A Scottish nobleman who is against Macbeth from the start of his ascension to the throne. Donalbain Character Descriptionĭonalbain Character Traits – The youngest son of King Duncan. His ascension to the throne at the end of the play symbolizes Scotland’s return to virtue and greatness. Malcom Character Traits – The eldest son of King Duncan. King Duncan represents virtue as a leader. He is murdered so that Macbeth can become king. King Duncan Character Traits – The King of Scotland at the beginning of the play. This leaves the question-what sort of violence will lead to this? King Duncan Character Description Even though, at the end of the play, Fleance’s location is unknown, it is suspected that he will one day rule Scotland since the Witches’ prophecy said that Banquo’s lineage would one day take the throne. Once killed, Banquo’s ghost haunts Macbeth as he represents a more even-tempered pathway to the throne, which Macbeth failed to take.įleance Character Traits – Banquo’s son who survives Macbeth’s plot to have him murdered. The Three Witches prophesize that Banquo’s sons will take over the Scottish throne. Banquo Character Descriptionīanquo Character Traits – A war general who is ambitious about his family’s role in inheriting the throne but doesn’t take brash action like Macbeth does. Hecate Character Traits – The goddess of witchcraft who rules over the Three Witches. The Three Witches, however, are a bit more evil than the Fates of Greek legend. In many ways, these Witches resemble the classic Greek Fates, who have the task of determining the lifespan and destiny of all people on Earth. The reasons behind the Witches’ involvement in the play aren’t entirely clear, other than that they contribute to a spooky and gloomy mood.

The Three Witches Character Traits – The play has three mysterious witches who wreak havoc against Macbeth through their prophecies.

Her descent into madness is much quicker and more acute than Macbeth’s and probably contributed to her husband’s demise because of this. After Lady Macbeth has pushed Macbeth to murder the king, she goes mad with guilt. Although becoming king was something Macbeth did want on his own, he did not have the wild ambition that Lady Macbeth has in the pursuit and she quickly overpowered his own vision for how he could become king. Lady Macbeth Character Traits – She is ambitious and serves as the driving force behind Macbeth’s pursuit of the throne.

His descent into madness shows his extreme discomfort with being a crooked leader and murderer. He tends to meet problems with violence and murder in an attempt at a quick fix, which drives him down a path of madness. Once Macbeth leaves behind the battlefield to test his abilities as a leader, it becomes clear that Macbeth does not have the patience or cleverness to claim the throne and keep it. Aside from his fatal flaw of being easily influenced, Macbeth is painted as a brave war hero who has done everything he can for his country. However, it is quickly revealed that Macbeth is easily influenced by outside forces when three Witches show up with a prophecy that he will become king of Scotland. He is the thane of Glamis and has the potential to rise nobly through the ranks. Macbeth Character Traits – In the start of the play, Macbeth is introduced as a Scottish military general.

Macbeth character chart