1. THE WITCHES
1.1. Resembling the Fates of Greek mythology
1.2. Lead Macbeth to have blind faith in his immortality
1.3. Influence Macbeth
1.3.1. Cause him to believe he must kill Duncan and later, kill Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance.
1.4. Do they cause their prophecies to come true?
1.5. Do they cause those who hear their prophecies to make them happen?
2. BANQUO
2.1. Represents the path Macbeth chose not to take
2.1.1. No murder, guilt, or betrayal
2.2. According to the Witches, his bloodline will inherit the Scottish throne
2.2.1. Poses as a threat to Macbeth
3. KING DUNCAN
3.1. Good King of Scotland
3.1.1. Death is a symbol of the destruction of a Ruling era which will only be restored when his bloodline occupies the throne again
3.1.2. Death also symbolizes the death of a peaceful Scotland
4. MALCOM
4.1. Son of King Duncan
4.1.1. First appears weak
4.1.1.1. Becomes a serious threat to Macbeth
4.1.2. Return to throne signifies the return to order after Macbeth's rule
5. PORTER
5.1. Intoxicated doorman of Macbeth's castle
5.1.1. Delivers a monologue which compares the doors of Macbeth's castle to the gates of hell
6. DONALBAIN
6.1. King Duncan's son, Malcom's younger brother
6.1.1. Flees Scotland with Malcom after their father's murder
7. BANQUO'S GHOST
7.1. Haunts Macbeth after his murder
7.1.1. Serves as a representation and manifestation of Macbeth's guilt
7.2. Reminds Macbeth of the path he chose not to take
7.3. Forces Macbeth to confront his actions and the consequences they bear
8. LADY MACBETH
8.1. Overly ambitious
8.1.1. Lust for power and control
8.1.1.1. Decisive
8.1.1.1.1. Impulsive
8.1.1.2. Quick to take action
8.1.1.3. Exploits sexual control over Macbeth
8.1.1.4. Insults and belittles Macbeth's manhood
8.1.1.4.1. Implies she is more of a man than Macbeth
8.1.2. Driven mad by guilt after Duncan's murder
9. MACBETH
9.1. Protagonist
9.1.1. Tragic Hero
9.1.1.1. Victim of Hubris
9.1.1.1.1. Easily tempted
9.1.1.1.2. Overly ambitious
9.1.1.1.3. Uncomfortable as a criminal, pursues throne despite this
9.1.2. Indecisive
10. MACDUFF
10.1. Does not like Macbeth or support his rule
10.1.1. Leads a crusade to unseat Macbeth from the throne
10.1.1.1. "Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane" Act 5 Scene 3 line 2
11. FLEANCE
11.1. Banquo's son
11.1.1. Threat to Macbeth's rule
11.1.1.1. Macbeth attempts to murder him but he escapes
11.1.1.2. Prophesied to rule Scotland
12. LENNOX
12.1. Scottish nobleman
13. ROSS
13.1. A Scottish nobleman
14. LADY MACDUFF
14.1. Macduff's wife
14.1.1. The scene in Lady Macduff's home serves as contrast to the life inside Lady Macbeth's home