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Quotes
Macbeth
Lady Macbeth's husband and a Scottish nobleman, the Thane of Glamis. He is made Thane of Cawdor for his bravery in battle, and becomes King of Scotland by murdering the previous King, Duncan…
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Lady Macbeth
Macbeth's wife. Unlike her husband, she has no reservations about murdering Duncan in order to make Macbeth King of Scotland. She believes that a true man takes what he wants, and whenever Macbeth objects…
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Banquo
A Scottish nobleman, general, and friend of Macbeth. He is also the father of Fleance. The weird sisters prophesy that while Banquo will never be King of Scotland, his descendants will one day…
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Macduff
A Scottish nobleman, and the Thane of Fife. His wife is Lady Macduff, and the two have babies and a young son. Macduff offers a contrast to Macbeth: a Scottish lord who…
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King Duncan
The King of Scotland, and the father of Malcolm and Donalbain. Macbeth murders him to get the crown. Duncan is the model of a good, virtuous king who puts the welfare of the country…
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Get the entire Macbeth LitChart as a printable PDF.
Malcolm
The older of King Duncan's two sons, and Duncan's designated heir to the throne of Scotland. Early in the play, Malcolm is a weak and inexperienced leader, and he actually flees Scotland in fear…
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Weird Sisters
Three witches, whose prophecy helps push Macbeth's ambition over the edge, and convinces him to murder Duncan in order to become King. The witches' knowledge of future events clearly indicates that they have supernatural…
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Minor Characters
Fleance
Banquo's teenage son. Macbeth sees him as a threat because of the weird sisters' prophecy that Banquo's descendants will one day rule Scotland.
Lady Macduff
The wife of Macduff and the mother of Macduff's children (and the only female character of note in the play besides Lady Macbeth). She questions her husband's decision to leave his family behind when he goes to England to help Malcolm save Scotland from Macbeth.
Young Macduff
Macduff's son, still a child.
Lennox
A Scottish nobleman.
Ross
A Scottish nobleman.
Angus
A Scottish nobleman.
Donalbain
King Duncan's younger son and Malcolm's brother.
Murderers
Men hired by Macbeth to kill Banquo and Fleance.
Porter
The guardian of the gate at Macbeth's castle..
Hecate
The goddess of witchcraft.
Gentlewoman
Lady Macbeth's attendant.
Siward
A warlike English lord.
Young Siward
Siward's son.
King Edward
The King of England. He is so saintly his touch can cure the sick.
Captain
A captain in the Scottish Army.
Seyton
Macbeth's servant.
Old Man
An elderly fellow who sees some strange things happen the night Macbeth murders Duncan.
English Doctor
An English doctor.
Scottish Doctor
The doctor Macbeth assigns to cure Lady Macbeth of her madness.
