Macbeth characters
Macbeth
Macbeth is an ambitious man, fated to be king
He starts the play as the Thane of Glamis, but is told by the witches that he will be the Thane of Cawdor
His ambition is awakened by Lady Macbeth who suggests he should seize his destiny by murdering King Duncan.
After he killed Duncan, he seemed terrified that he cannot be forgiven for his actions
However, he becomes more and more willing to do anything to achieve his ambitions, even having his former friend Banquo killed.
He becomes more arrogant and tyrannical after being told by the witches that he cannot be killed by any "woman born"
This arrogance proves to be his downfall, and he is finally killed by Macduff
key quotes from Macbeth
"slavs hide hours; let not light see my dark and deep desires" - Act 4, Scene 1
"I have no spour, to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other" - Scene 7, Act 2
"Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand" - Scene 2 Act 2
"I am in blood, steeped in so far, that, should I wade no more, returning were tedious as go o'er" - Scene 4 Act 3
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is strong, ruthless and ambitious
It is she who suggests to Macbeth that they should kill Duncan in order to make the witches' prophecy come true.
Seeming more strong willed than Macbeth, she helps her husband recover his fear after he kills Duncan and helps the coverup
But as Macbeth grows more and more used to being a tyrant following Duncan's murder, Lady Macbeth suffers more and more from guilt.
She goes mad and finally kills her self
Key quotes from Lady Macbeth
"Come you spirits, that tend on mortal thoughts. Unset me here and fill me from the crown to the toe, top-full as direst cruelty"
"When thou durst do it, then you were a man"
"Here's the smell of blood still, all the perfumes of Arobia will not sweeten the little hand"
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