Macbeth Character Chart
Character Chief Motives/Traits Role in the Play Quote At the Beginning of the Play At the End of the Play
Macbeth
Motive – ambition
Traits – weak and
gullible
Main character of the
tragedy; a Thane who
becomes King
Loyal to Duncan; transfixed by
the witches’ prophecies; at the
mercy of his wife’s manipulation
Lady
Macbeth
Ambitious; willing to
do whatever it takes to
gain the throne;
manipulative
Macbeth’s wife and the
person who pushes him
to become an ambitious
“tyrant”
Questions her husband’s character
as a man and plans the murder of
Duncan
Duncan
Kind, generous,
trusting, a good king
King of Scotland before
Macbeth; Macbeth’s
cousin
Fighting a war against traitors and
ordering their executions;
extremely grateful to Macbeth
and Banquo
Banquo
Cautious and wise; just
wants to be a loyal
noble of Scotland
Macbeth’s friend and
another thane of
Duncan’s
Friendly with Macbeth; does not
take the witches’ prophecies
seriously
Macduff
He is simply loyal to
Scotland at the
beginning; his motives
change to help Malcolm
win the throne and to
avenge his family’s
death
Macduff is the Thane of
Fife; he goes to England
to persuade Malcolm to
take the throne
Devastated at the murder of
Duncan and cautious when
speaking of Macbeth as a tyrant
Malcolm
He only wants to be a
good king for Scotland
Malcolm is Duncan’s
eldest son who was
named Prince of
Cumberland and then
becomes king.
Afraid for his life, he and his
brother flee from Scotland. Some
of the people believe he killed his
father.
The
Witches
They are “creatures of
night” – malicious and
manipulative. They
enjoy seeing humans
suffer.
The witches are present
to show how ambition
and association with
“evil beings” will result
in tragedy.
They show up at the very
beginning of the play and let us
know that their plan is to mess
with Macbeth’s life.
