Key characters

• Macbeth

  Begins as a loyal warrior, Ends a tyrannical king
• Lady Macbeth

  Macbeth's wife, She persuades Macbeth to murder King Duncan
• Macduff

  Macbeth's antagonist (enemy), He kills Macbeth
• Macduff

  A dramatic foil (contrast) to Macbeth
• Banquo


  Macbeth's closest friend and ally, He is also a foil to the character of Macbeth
• Fleance


  Banquo's son
• King Duncan

  King of Scotland at the start of the play, Murdered by Macbeth
• Malcolm

  Duncan's eldest son and the rightful heir to the throne, At the end of the play, he becomes king