Characters

Types of Characters in Literature

• Major characters: Have significant roles in the plot.
• Minor characters: Support the main characters and help move the story forward.
• Protagonist: The main character, often the hero (e.g., Macbeth).
• Antagonist: Opposes the protagonist; can be a person, group, or situation (e.g., Macduff, Banquo, the Witches).

Character Categories in Macbeth

Flat/Static Characters

• Do not undergo significant change.
• Play a supporting role (e.g., The Doctor, The Porter, The Thanes).

Dynamic/Changing Characters

• Undergo development and transformation.
• Example: Lady Macbeth – changes from strong-willed to guilt-ridden and suicidal.

Round Characters

• Complex and multi-dimensional.
• Example: Macbeth – ambitious yet conflicted.

Villains/Evil Characters

• Actively oppose the protagonist with harmful intentions.
• Examples: The Witches, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth.

Classes of Characters

• The Nobility: Wealthy and powerful (e.g., Macbeth, King Duncan, Macduff, Banquo).
• The Commoners: Lower-class individuals, often servants (e.g., The Porter, the Nurse).
• The Army: Warriors involved in battles (e.g., Macbeth, Banquo, Macduff, Malcolm).

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Major Characters

Macbeth

Actions:

• A brave warrior who fights for King Duncan.

• Becomes Thane of Cawdor.

• Murders King Duncan to take the throne.

• Orders the killings of Banquo and Macduff's family.

• Fights against Macduff and Malcolm's army.

• Killed by Macduff. Character Traits:

• Ambitious – desires power and kingship.

• Easily influenced – manipulated by Lady Macbeth.

• Jealous – fears Banquo.

• Guilty – haunted by Duncan's murder.

• Self-reflective – realises the consequences of his actions.

Lady Macbeth

Actions:

• Encourages Macbeth to kill Duncan.

• Frames the guards for Duncan's murder.

• Covers Macbeth's erratic behaviour.

• Suffers from guilt and eventually commits suicide. Character Traits:

• Cruel and manipulative – described as "fiend-like."

• Ambitious – wants to be Queen of Scotland.

• Persuasive – convinces Macbeth to kill Duncan.

• Impatient and scheming – plans Duncan's murder.

• Remorseful – consumed by guilt later in the play.

Banquo

Actions:

• Receives prophecy from the witches.

• Warns Macbeth about trusting the witches.

• Murdered by Macbeth's hired killers.

• Appears as a ghost at Macbeth's banquet. Character Traits:

• Loyal and brave – fights alongside Macbeth.

• Sceptical – do not trust the witches.

• The patient – awaits the fulfilment of the prophecy for his descendants.

Macduff

Actions:

• Discovers Duncan's body.

• Flees to England to seek help.

• Assembles an army to defeat Macbeth.

• Kills Macbeth in battle. Character Traits:

• Loyal and patriotic – dedicated to Scotland.

• Brave – risks his life to defeat tyranny.

• Just and honourable – seeks rightful leadership.

Malcolm

Actions:

• Flees to England after Duncan's murder.

• Leads an army against Macbeth.

• Becomes King of Scotland after Macbeth's death. Character Traits:

• Patient and cautious – waits for the right moment to reclaim the throne.

• Clever and strategic – uses deception in battle.

• Rightful leader – represents justice and stability.

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Minor Characters

The Three Witches

• Provide prophecies to Macbeth and Banquo.
• Manipulate Macbeth's ambition.
• Use supernatural knowledge to cause chaos.

King Duncan

• Benevolent ruler of Scotland.
• Rewards loyalty.
• Murdered by Macbeth.

Fleance

• Banquo's son.
• His survival threatens Macbeth.
• Represents Banquo's lasting legacy.

The Other Thanes

• Examples: Lennox, Ross, Angus, Menteith, Caithness.
• Initially supports Macbeth but later defects to Malcolm.

Lady Macduff

• Opposes Macbeth's tyranny.
• Represents loyalty and motherhood.
• Murdered along with her children.

The Porter

• Provides comic relief.
• Symbolically represents the gate to hell.
• Comments on appearance vs. reality.

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Characterisation & Analysis

• A character's personality is shown through actions, thoughts, and words.
• Consider key incidents that shape a character's decisions.
• Observe how other characters react to them.
• Dialogue reveals tone, speech patterns, and attitude.
• Example traits: Serious, sarcastic, shy, arrogant, wise, ignorant.

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