Macbeth

Malcolm

Macbeth usurps the throne from Malcolm's father and later fights to retain power against Malcolm's invading army.

Lord

The Lord is a Scottish nobleman who opposes Macbeth's tyranny and sides with Malcolm to overthrow him.

Banquo

Banquo is Macbeth's fellow general and close friend, but their bond is strained by Macbeth's ambition and Banquo's suspicion.

Doctor

The Doctor is a physician attending to Lady Macbeth's mental illness, serving under Macbeth's rule.

Macduff

Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's family, and Macduff ultimately kills Macbeth in revenge.

Gentlewoman

The Gentlewoman is a servant in Macbeth's castle who observes Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking and reports to the Doctor.

Lord

The Lord is a Scottish nobleman who opposes Macbeth's tyranny and sides with Malcolm to overthrow him.

Gentlewoman

The Gentlewoman is a servant in Macbeth's castle who observes Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking and reports to the Doctor.

Macduff

Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's family, and Macduff ultimately kills Macbeth in revenge.

Malcolm

Macbeth usurps the throne from Malcolm's father and later fights to retain power against Malcolm's invading army.

Banquo

Banquo is Macbeth's fellow general and close friend, but their bond is strained by Macbeth's ambition and Banquo's suspicion.

Doctor

The Doctor is a physician attending to Lady Macbeth's mental illness, serving under Macbeth's rule.

Scene I

Mentioned as the one the witches plan to meet on the heath.

Scene II

Macbeth is praised for his bravery in battle, described as carving through the enemy and defeating Macdonwald, then fighting fiercely against the Norwegians.

Scene III

Receives prophecies from the witches and is granted the title Thane of Cawdor; his mind begins to entertain dark ambitions.

Scene IV: The Naming of the Prince of Cumberland

Macbeth is praised by Duncan and receives the title of Thane of Cawdor. In an aside, he reveals his dark ambition and desire to overcome Malcolm, who now stands in his path to the throne.

Scene V

Arrives at Inverness and informs Lady Macbeth that Duncan is coming; he is hesitant but agrees to speak further about the plan.

Scene VII

Debates the moral and practical consequences of killing Duncan, ultimately succumbs to Lady Macbeth's manipulation.

Scene I

Wrestles with his conscience and hallucinates a dagger before resolving to kill Duncan.

Scene II

Horrified and guilt-ridden after killing Duncan, he cannot say 'Amen' and hears a voice condemning him to sleeplessness.

Scene III

Claims he killed the guards out of violent love for Duncan; feigns grief and shock.

Scene IV

Macbeth is reported to have been named king and gone to Scone to be invested.

Scene I

Macbeth, now king, fears Banquo and arranges his murder to secure his throne and prevent Banquo's line from inheriting.

Scene II

Macbeth is tormented by his conscience, speaking of 'terrible dreams' and a mind 'full of scorpions.' He resolves to have Banquo and Fleance murdered.

Scene IV

Hosts the banquet, reacts with terror to Banquo's ghost, and resolves to seek the witches for more prophecies.

Scene VI

Referred to as a tyrant; he has sent a messenger to Macduff and is preparing for war.

Act IV, Scene I

Seeks out the witches for reassurance, reacts with terror to the vision of Banquo's line, and resolves to murder Macduff's family upon hearing of Macduff's flight.

Scene II

Referred to as the tyrant, fortifying Dunsinane, described as mad or in valiant fury.

Scene III

Defiant and weary, Macbeth clings to the witches' prophecy but reveals inner despair over his hollow life.

Scene V

Orders banners hung, reacts to Lady Macbeth's death with nihilistic soliloquy, then confronts the moving wood prophecy.

Scene VII

Resigned to fight but confident in the witches' prophecy that no man born of woman can harm him; kills Young Siward.

Scene VIII

Confronts Macduff, learns the witches' equivocation, and is slain.