Macbeths Character

• Brave in Battle (Hero)

  • Macbeth bravely fought in battle. "For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name)"
  • The Captain is impressed by Macbeth's bravery.
  • Shakespeare emphasizes Macbeth’s bravery with brackets.
  • Macbeth lives by the heroic code.
• Struggle (Hero)

  • Macbeth struggles to go ahead with the plot. “We will proceed no further in this business.”
  • He does not want to go against the King/God.
  • Lady Macbeth manipulates him, calling him a "coward."
• Violent Nature (Hero)

  • Macbeth is thought to be a hero because of his violent nature but uses violence to kill people for the King.
  • His actions are horrific but viewed as heroic.
• Breaks Loyalty to Duncan (Villain)

  • Macbeth kills an innocent man (Duncan) who he should be loyal to.
  • King Duncan is Macbeth's King and friend.
  • In the 11th century, hospitality was very important, and Duncan placed himself in the care of Macbeth.
• Trusts Supernatural (Villain)

  • Macbeth trusts witchcraft, letting it take over his life.
  • King James 1 and citizens hated witchcraft.
  • Macbeth's trust in witchcraft leads the Jacobean audience to dislike and distrust him.
• Impulsive Reaction (Ambition)

  • Macbeth finds out he is Thane of Cawdor, immediately thinking of becoming King. “Two truths are told.”
  • He is unsure if what he is told is best. "If good, why do I yield to that suggestion?"
• Death of The King (Ambition)

  • Macbeth's mind jumps to the death of King Duncan when he hears the witches' prophecy of him becoming King.
  • Shakespeare uses imagery of terror. “Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair.”
  • This suggests Macbeth is thinking of murder.
  • The possibility of power moved him from a loyal character to the worst traitor.
• Accepts Fate (Fate)

  • Macbeth decides if fate says he will be king, it will happen without interference. "If chance will have me king, why then chance may crown me."
• Tries to Change Fate (Fate)

  • Macbeth attempts to change fate to keep his power.
  • He kills Banquo so Banquo’s sons can't take the throne (as the witches prophesied).
  • He kills Lady Macduff and Macduff’s son to remove competition from the Macduff family.
• Significance Of The Letter (Loving + Submissive)

  • Macbeth writes to his wife about the witches' prophecies, suggesting he treats his wife equally, cares, and values her.
  • This gives the audience a clue as to why he lets her influence him, as men did not usually share these things with their wives
• Structure Act 1, Scene 5 (Loving + Submissive)

  • Lady Macbeth dominates the conversation.
  • Macbeth uses loving language towards his wife. "My dearest love."
  • Lady Macbeth flatters his status. "Great Glamis, worthy Cawdor."
  • Macbeth is more caring.
  • Lady Macbeth decides the plan, and Macbeth agrees, suggesting he is mentally weak.
• Pleasing His Wife (Loving + Submissive)

  • Macbeth hallucinates a dagger and thinks of many reasons not to kill King Duncan, denying all these thoughts because of his wife.
  • Lady Macbeth criticizes Macbeth for fearing to kill Duncan.
• Too Nice (How Lady Macbeth treats Macbeth)

  • Macbeth is considered too nice to go for the things he wants. "Too full of the milk of human kindness."
  • Shakespeare uses a metaphor suggesting Macbeth is a good man. "Milk" feeds babies, but Lady Macbeth sees his kindness as a weakness.
  • Macbeth is given stereotypically feminine traits.
• Pressuring (How Lady Macbeth treats Macbeth)

  • Macbeth does not want to kill Duncan, and his ambition is not a good enough reason.
  • Lady Macbeth persuades him; she has power over her husband.
• Feminine (How Lady Macbeth treats Macbeth)

  • Lady Macbeth suggests that Macbeth's lack of courage makes him less manly, asking, “Are you a man?”
• Banquo's Murder (Changing Relationship)

  • Lady Macbeth was the key motivator to kill Duncan, but Macbeth doesn't discuss the plan to kill Banquo.
  • Macbeth thinks it’s better she doesn’t know, saying, "Be innocent of the knowledge."
  • Perhaps, he wants her not to suffer, saying, "Full of scorpions is my mind."
  • He has taken control, indicating a power shift.
• Effect of Murdering Duncan (Changing Relationship)

  • Lady Macbeth bullies him to murder Duncan, and when he does, his personality changes, beginning to take control of the relationship.
• Supernatural Visions (Mentally Unstable)

  • Macbeth sees supernatural things: a dagger, Banquo’s ghost, and spirits.
  • It's unclear whether they are real or hallucinations. "A dagger of the mind, a false creation."
• Disturbed by Murder (Mentally Unstable)

  • After killing Duncan, Macbeth believes he has "murdered sleep."
  • He is ashamed of the blood on his hands, calling it a "sorry sight," suggesting regret over the murder.
• Obsessed with Murder (Mentally Unstable)

  • Macbeth's mental instability doesn't stop him from murdering the innocent.
  • He may continue to murder innocent people because he believes he is already damned for killing King Duncan.
• Soliloquy (Act 3) (Protecting Crown)

  • Macbeth talks about why he must murder Banquo, saying, "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus."
  • He does not want Banquo’s sons to be king.
  • The speech shows he is struggling mentally.
  • Shakespeare hints at his lack of sleep, using the metaphor "eternal jewel" to refer to his immortal soul, which he has given to the "common enemy of man."
  • He believes Satan will possess his soul.
• "Black" and "Devilish" (Tyrant)

  • This is how thanes describe him, suggesting he is tyrannical and oppressive.
• "Something Wicked" (Tyrant)

  • This is how the witches refer to Macbeth when he visits them, highlighting his shift to an evil character.
  • Contextually, Macbeth’s allegiance to the witches suggests he is evil, accepting the supernatural (which the Jacobean audience considered evil).
  • He uses witchcraft to reinforce his tyrannical reign.