Macbeth

First Witch

Also known as First Weird Sister

One of the three witches who prophesies Macbeth’s rise and helps lure him toward ruin.

Second Witch

Also known as Second Weird Sister

One of the three witches who prophesies Macbeth’s rise and helps lure him toward ruin.

Third Witch

Also known as Third Weird Sister

One of the three witches who prophesies Macbeth’s rise and helps lure him toward ruin.

Graymalkin

A familiar spirit called by the First Witch; its cry signals her.

Paddock

A familiar spirit called by the Second Witch; it calls to her.

Duncan

Also known as King of Scotland

King of Scotland and father of Malcolm and Donalbain. Macbeth murders him while he is a guest at Macbeth’s castle.

Malcolm

Also known as Prince of Cumberland

Duncan’s elder son and heir to the Scottish throne. He escapes to England after his father’s murder, wins Macduff’s trust, and returns with an army to defeat Macbeth and reclaim the crown.

Donalbain

Duncan’s younger son. He flees to Ireland after his father’s murder and is reported absent from Malcolm’s campaign against Macbeth.

Lennox

A Scottish nobleman who witnesses the upheaval after Duncan’s murder and later discusses opposition to Macbeth. He joins Malcolm’s campaign against the tyrant.

Captain

Also known as Soldier · Sergeant

A wounded Scottish soldier who reports Macbeth and Banquo’s victories over rebels and Norwegian forces.

Macdonwald

A rebel leader from the Western Isles, killed by Macbeth in battle.

Norweyan lord

Also known as Norwegian lord

A leader of the Norwegian forces who attacks Scotland; Ross reports his defeat.

Cawdor

Also known as Thane of Cawdor · Former Thane of Cawdor

The former Thane of Cawdor, executed for treason after supporting Norway and the rebellion.

Ross

Also known as Thane of Ross

A Scottish nobleman who reports the victory over Norway and brings Macbeth news that he has been named Thane of Cawdor. He later joins Malcolm’s forces and tells Macduff that his wife and children have been slaughtered.

Angus

Also known as Thane of Angus

A Scottish nobleman sent with Ross to announce Macbeth’s new title. He later joins the nobles marching against Macbeth.

Macbeth

Also known as Thane of Glamis · Thane of Cawdor · King of Scotland

A Scottish general who becomes king after murdering Duncan. Driven by ambition and fear of losing the crown, he orders further killings; Macduff kills him in battle and brings his head to Malcolm.

Banquo

A Scottish general, Macbeth’s companion, and father of Fleance. The witches prophesy that his descendants will be kings; Macbeth has him murdered.

Sweno

Also known as King of Norway

The Norwegian king, who seeks terms after his forces are defeated by the Scots.

First Messenger

Also known as Messenger

A servant who tells Lady Macbeth that Duncan will arrive at Macbeth’s castle that night.

Lady Macbeth

Macbeth’s wife and Queen of Scotland. She urges him to murder Duncan and helps cover up the crime. Tormented by guilt, she sleepwalks and dies by her own hand.

Macbeth’s Servant

Also known as Servant

An unnamed servant in Macbeth’s household who carries out his orders. One servant brings Macbeth news of the approaching English army.

Macduff

Also known as Thane of Fife

A Scottish nobleman who discovers Duncan’s murder and opposes Macbeth. After Macbeth’s men kill his wife and children, Macduff joins Malcolm’s campaign and kills Macbeth; he was born by Caesarean section.

Fleance

Banquo’s son, who escapes the murderers sent by Macbeth.

Porter

The unnamed porter at Macbeth’s castle who answers the gate after Duncan’s murder.

Old Man

An unnamed elderly man who speaks with Ross about the unnatural events following Duncan’s murder.

Two Chamberlains

Also known as Sleepy grooms · Murderers of Duncan

Duncan’s two sleeping attendants, whom Lady Macbeth drugs and frames for his murder; Macbeth kills them.

First Murderer

One of the hired killers Macbeth recruits to murder Banquo and Fleance. He helps kill Banquo.

Second Murderer

One of the hired killers Macbeth recruits to murder Banquo and Fleance.

Third Murderer

A third killer who joins the ambush on Banquo and Fleance, saying Macbeth sent him.

Ghost of Banquo

Banquo’s ghost, which appears at Macbeth’s feast and terrifies him.

Hecate

Mistress of the witches’ charms who rebukes them for dealing with Macbeth without her and plans visions to deceive him.

Apparition of an armed Head

Also known as Armed Head

A vision conjured by the witches that warns Macbeth to beware Macduff.

Apparition of a bloody Child

Also known as Bloody Child

A vision conjured by the witches that tells Macbeth no one born of a woman will harm him.

Apparition of a Child crowned, with a tree in his hand

Also known as Crowned Child

A vision conjured by the witches that predicts Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane.

Apparition of Banquo’s line

Also known as Eight kings

A succession of kings shown to Macbeth by the witches; their vision suggests Banquo’s descendants will rule.

Macduff’s Wife

Also known as Lady Macduff

Macduff’s wife, left in Scotland with their son when he flees. Macbeth’s men pursue and kill her.

Macduff’s Son

Also known as Boy · Son

Macduff’s young son, who trades witty remarks with his mother before a murderer kills him.

Macduff’s Messenger

Also known as Messenger

An unnamed man who warns Lady Macduff that danger is approaching and urges her to flee.

Malcolm’s test of Macduff

No additional character; Malcolm speaks in his own person.

Old Siward

Also known as Siward

An experienced English commander and Malcolm’s uncle, who leads ten thousand soldiers against Macbeth. He accepts his son’s death in battle with pride.

Doctor

Also known as Doctor of Physic

A physician who attends Lady Macbeth during her sleepwalking and later treats her troubled mind. He also tells Malcolm about the English king’s miraculous healing of the sick.

English King

Also known as King of England · Good king

The unnamed king of England, who shelters Malcolm and supports his campaign with ten thousand soldiers. He is said to heal people suffering from the king’s evil by touch and prayer.

Strangers to the English king’s healing

Also known as Strangely-visited people

Unnamed sick people in England, afflicted with swelling and ulcers, whom the English king is said to heal.

Waiting-Gentlewoman

Also known as Gentlewoman

An unnamed attendant who has watched Lady Macbeth sleepwalk and tells the doctor what she has observed.

Menteith

A Scottish nobleman who joins Malcolm’s forces marching against Macbeth.

Caithness

A Scottish nobleman who joins the campaign against Macbeth and reports on the tyrant’s defenses.

Seyton

A servant or attendant to Macbeth who brings him reports and tells him that the queen is dead.

Macbeth’s Messenger

Also known as Messenger

An unnamed messenger who reports seeing Birnam Wood moving toward Dunsinane.

Young Siward

Also known as Siward’s son

Old Siward’s son, a young English soldier who fights Macbeth and is killed.

Macbeth’s Second Messenger

Also known as Messenger

An unnamed messenger who reports the English force approaching Dunsinane.