Key Characters You Need to Know
Macbeth starts as the brave Thane of Glamis but his world changes when King Duncan rewards his battlefield victory by making him Thane of Cawdor. This promotion sets the stage for his tragic downfall.
Lady Macbeth breaks every expectation of medieval women - she's manipulative, ruthless, and more ambitious than her husband. She's the driving force behind Duncan's murder, using clever psychological tactics to convince Macbeth to act.
Banquo serves as Macbeth's best mate and complete opposite. The witches prophesy that whilst Banquo won't be king, his descendants will rule Scotland - a prediction that haunts Macbeth and fuels his paranoia.
Remember: Banquo represents the path Macbeth could have taken - staying loyal and honourable despite hearing the same prophecies.
Macduff appears as the Thane of Fife and becomes Macbeth's greatest enemy. His suspicions about Duncan's murder and the brutal killing of his family transform him into the instrument of Macbeth's destruction.
