Character	Description
Macbeth	Macbeth is Thane of Glamis, then Thane of Cawdor. He ascends to the throne of Scotland by murdering the king. His treachery becomes his undoing. Read More
Lady Macbeth	Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's wife. She encourages and enables his ambitions but is driven mad by her own suppressed guilt. Read More
Witches	The three witches—also known as the weird sisters—collectively make predictions that drive Macbeth's ambition and bring about his defeat. Read More
Banquo	Banquo is a Scottish thane and a friend of Macbeth's. Macbeth kills him when he becomes a threat. Read More
Macduff	Macduff is the Thane of Fife. He suspects Macbeth from the beginning and eventually defeats him in battle. Read More
Duncan	Duncan is the king of Scotland. Macbeth kills him to obtain the crown, despite Duncan showing him much favor. Read More
Malcolm	Malcolm is King Duncan's older son. He flees to England following his father's murder and returns with an army to defeat Macbeth. Read More
Angus	Angus is a Scottish thane who suspects Macbeth of foul play and rises against him.
Caithness	Caithness is a Scottish thane who suspects Macbeth of foul play and rises against him.
Captain	The Captain is a soldier who reports to King Duncan that Macbeth has defeated the rebel Macdonwald.
Donalbain	Donalbain is King Duncan's younger son. He flees to Ireland after his father is killed.
English Doctor	The English Doctor visits the castle of Edward, king of England. He tells Malcolm that Edward will be meeting with a group of sick people, as he is able to heal them with his touch.
First Apparition	The First Apparition is of an armed head; it warns Macbeth to be wary of Macduff, the Thane of Fife.
First Murderer	The First Murderer is one of Macbeth's henchmen. He kills Banquo and Macduff's wife and son.
Fleance	Fleance is Banquo's son. He escapes the killers and flees Scotland after his father's murder.
Gentlewoman	The Gentlewoman is a servant, or lady-in-waiting, to Lady Macbeth. She consults a doctor regarding Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking.
Hecate	Hecate is the goddess of magic and witchcraft. She berates the witches for advising Macbeth without consulting her.
Lady Macduff	Lady Macduff is Macduff's wife. She is murdered by Macbeth's henchmen.
Lennox	Lennox is a Scottish thane. He suspects Macbeth of foul play and rises against him.
Macduff's Son	The Son of Macduff is murdered by Macbeth's henchmen.
Menteith	Menteith is a Scottish thane. He suspects Macbeth of foul play and rises against him.
Old Man	The Old Man discusses ominous omens with Ross on the day following King Duncan's murder.
Porter	The Porter is a servant to Macbeth. He provides light relief as he speaks with Macduff about the things that drink provokes.
Ross	Ross is a Scottish thane who suspects Macbeth of foul play and rises against him.
Scottish Doctor	The Scottish Doctor consults with Lady Macbeth's lady-in-waiting about Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking.
Second Apparition	The Second Apparition is of a blood-covered child. It assures Macbeth that no one "born of woman" can harm him.
Second Murderer	The Second Murderer is one of Macbeth's henchmen. He kills Banquo and Macduff's wife and son.
Seyton	Seyton is a servant of Macbeth's who announces the death of Lady Macbeth.
Siward	Siward is an English earl and kinsman to Malcolm. He helps him raise an army to defeat Macbeth.
Third Apparition	The Third Apparition is of a crowned child holding a tree. It tells Macbeth that the only way he may be defeated is if Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane Hill.
Third Murderer	The Third Murderer is one of Macbeth's henchmen. He kills Banquo and Macduff's wife and son.
Young Siward	Young Siward is Siward's son and an English soldier. He is killed by Macbeth in the final battle.

Macbeth | Study Guide

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Characters

Macbeth | Characters