Macbeth+-+Character+list

APA Citation for the information on this page: Underwood, L. N. (n.d.). A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. In //Penguin Group (USA) - Academic Services //.


 * CHARACTERS **

Shakespeare's audience was familiar with the history of Macbeth; modern students are not.

Macbeth - Scottish general ambitious enough to commit regicide to become king; Thane of Glamis; becomes Thane of Cawdor - given title by Duncan; becomes King of Scotland

Lady Macbeth - His wife; ambitious; later remorseful

Banquo - General, murdered by hired killers (hired by Macbeth)

Fleance - Banquo's son, hired by Macbeth to be killed along with his father, but Fleance escapes

Duncan - King of Scotland

Malcolm - Eldest son of Duncan, Prince of Cumberland

Donalbain - Youngest son of Duncan

Macduff - General, dedicated to the good of Scotland; Thane of Fife; has a wife, Lady Macduff, and children

Ross - Cousin to Macduff

Lennox - Nobleman, loyal to Duncan

Seyton - Lieutenant to Macbeth

Siward - English Earl, supporter of Malcolm

Young Siward - Bravely faces Macbeth

Three Witches - The Weird Sisters; Predict Macbeth's ambitions will soon come true; later predict his downfall