After the bloodshed begins, however, Lady Macbeth falls victim to guilt and madness to an even greater degree than her husband. Early in the play she seems to be the stronger and more ruthless of the two, as she urges her husband to kill Duncan and seize the crown. He is unable to bear the psychological consequences of his atrocities.ģ Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth - Macbeth’s wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position. Unlike Shakespeare’s great villains, such as Iago in Othello and Richard III in Richard III, Macbeth is never comfortable in his role as a criminal. His response to every problem is violence and murder. Ultimately, Macbeth proves himself better suited to the battlefield than to political intrigue, because he lacks the skills necessary to rule without being a tyrant. He is easily tempted into murder to fulfil his ambitions to the throne, and once he commits his first crime and is crowned King of Scotland, he embarks on further atrocities with increasing ease. Macbeth is a brave soldier and a powerful man, but he is not a virtuous one. The witches are given masculine features as Banquo tells them, “You should be women,/And yet your beards forbid me to interpret/That you are so.” Their abuse of power to manipulate and their physical appearance show they too possess masculine traits.Presentation on theme: 'Macbeth Characters.'- Presentation transcript:Ģ Macbeth Macbeth - Macbeth is a Scottish general and the thane of Glamis who is led to wicked thoughts by the prophecies of the three witches, especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of Cawdor comes true. The prophecies they give Macbeth lead him to drastic actions. While they do not take part in the main action, the three witches play an essential role in “Macbeth.” The witches show power in the ability to prophesy and use it to their benefit.

When Malcolm takes his place on the throne, he shows honor to his loyal thanes by making them earls. Macduff convinces him otherwise, which inspires Malcolm to lead the army against Macbeth’s forces. During a moment of weakness, he shares with Macduff his hesitance to become king, since he is lust-filled and greedy. Malcolm is a leader and is respected by his people. The king's murder is pinned on Malcolm, so he flees to England to build an army against Macbeth. Malcolm is King Duncan’s son and true heir to the throne. Banquo's last deed of saving his son's life exemplifies his heroic loyalty. Unfortunately, Macbeth is paranoid of Banquo and has him assassinated. Though he is suspicious of Macbeth after Duncan’s murder, Banquo shows loyalty to his friend. Banquo openly challenges the witches and does not automatically believe their predictions. He is the only other character to receive a prophecy from the witches. Banquo fights alongside Macbeth and is renowned for his bravery and martial skill.

Banquoīanquo is Macbeth’s friend and a Scottish thane. Shakespeare challenges readers' assumptions about femininity by having Lady Macbeth embody many masculine values.

She pushes Macbeth into murder by convincing him that he is not a man unless he kills Duncan. When Lady Macbeth hears about her husband's prophecy, she asks demonic spirits to “unsex me here,/And fill me … top-full/Of direst cruelty.” Her covetousness for power leads her to plan a brutal and violent regicide. Macbeth’s wife shows several masculine characteristics.

Characters in macbeth