Macbeth Character Analysis: Key Traits and Contrasts

Posted on May 28, 2025 in Philology

1. Characterization of Macbeth

Brave and Honorable at First: “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name—Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel” (Act 1, Scene 2, Captain).
Ambitious and Easily Influenced: “I have no spur to prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition” (Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth).
Paranoid and Tyrannical: “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (Act 3, Scene 2, Macbeth).

Manipulative and Ambitious: “Look like th’ innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t” (Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth).
Remorseless at First: “A little water clears us of this deed” (Act 2, Scene 2, Lady Macbeth).
Guilt-Ridden Later: “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1, Lady Macbeth).

Macbeth’s Ambition vs. Banquo’s Caution: “Thou hast it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, as the Weird Women promised, and I fear thou played’st most foully for’t” (Act 3, Scene 1, Banquo).
Macbeth Seeks Power; Banquo Seeks Truth: “If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me” (Act 1, Scene 3, Banquo).
Banquo’s Ghost as a Symbol of Conscience: “Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake thy gory locks at me!” (Act 3, Scene 4, Macbeth).

Macbeth’s Ruthlessness vs. Macduff’s Grief: “All my pretty ones? Did you say all? O hell-kite! All?” (Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff).
Macbeth Relies on Prophecies; Macduff Takes Action: “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripped” (Act 5, Scene 8, Macduff).
Macduff Represents Justice: “Hail, King! for so thou art. Behold where stands the usurper’s cursed head” (Act 5, Scene 8, Macduff).

Lady Macduff as a Loving Mother: “He loves us not; he wants the natural touch” (Act 4, Scene 2, Lady Macduff).
Lady Macbeth is Ruthless in Pursuit of Power: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here” (Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth).
Lady Macduff Represents Innocence and Domesticity: “Whither should I fly? I have done no harm” (Act 4, Scene 2, Lady Macduff).

Edward as a Healing King: “Such sanctity hath heaven given his hand, they presently amend” (Act 4, Scene 3, Doctor about King Edward).
Macbeth’s Rule as a Tyranny: “Each new morn new widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows strike heaven on the face” (Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff).

Duncan as a Gentle Ruler: “The love that follows us sometime is our trouble, which still we thank as love” (Act 1, Scene 6, Duncan).
Malcolm Tests Macduff’s Loyalty: “But I shall crave your pardon; that which you are, my thoughts cannot transpose” (Act 4, Scene 3, Malcolm).
Malcolm as a Strategic Leader: “Let every soldier hew him down a bough and bear’t before him” (Act 5, Scene 4, Malcolm).

Macbeth’s Growing Dependence on the Witches: “Stay, you imperfect speakers, tell me more” (Act 1, Scene 3, Macbeth).
The Witches Manipulate Him: “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes” (Act 4, Scene 1, Second Witch).
Macbeth Seeks Their Help Desperately: “Even till destruction sicken, answer me to what I ask you” (Act 4, Scene 1, Macbeth).