Key Characters in Macbeth

• Macbeth – A Scottish noble and the play’s tragic hero whose ambition leads him to murderous deeds.
• Lady Macbeth – Macbeth’s wife, whose manipulation and ambition spur him on.
• The Three Witches – Mysterious figures whose prophecies set the tragic events in motion.
• Banquo – Macbeth’s friend and fellow general; his fate and his son’s future play a crucial role in the unfolding prophecy.
• King Duncan – The benevolent ruler whose murder marks the beginning of Macbeth’s descent into tyranny.
• Macduff – A nobleman who ultimately defies Macbeth and seeks to restore order to Scotland.
• Malcolm – King Duncan’s eldest son and the rightful heir, representing hope for Scotland’s future.
• Donalbain – Duncan’s younger son, whose escape highlights the ensuing atmosphere of suspicion and chaos.

This concise list covers the primary characters critical for an A-Level understanding of the play.

Macduff is portrayed as a noble and courageous figure who stands in direct opposition to Macbeth’s tyranny. Unlike Macbeth, whose ambition leads him into moral decay, Macduff champions justice and collective well-being, seeking to dismantle the corrupt regime that threatens Scotland’s stability. His personal vendetta against Macbeth, intensified by the tragic loss of his family, underscores his role as both a catalyst for retribution and the embodiment of hope for restoring the rightful order in Scotland.