# Macbeth — Character guide

> Key figures in Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

- [Macbeth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/macbeth.md): Scottish general who becomes king through murder and tyranny.
- [Lady Macbeth](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/lady_macbeth.md): Macbeth's ambitious wife who drives him to regicide.
- [Banquo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/banquo.md): Macbeth's friend and fellow general, whose ghost haunts him.
- [Macduff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/macduff.md): Thane of Fife who opposes Macbeth and ultimately kills him.
- [Malcolm](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/malcolm.md): Duncan's son who flees to England and later reclaims the throne.
- [King Duncan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/duncan.md): The murdered King of Scotland, father of Malcolm and Donalbain.
- [Lady Macduff](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/lady_macduff.md): Macduff's wife, murdered on Macbeth's orders.
- [Ross](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/ross.md): Scottish nobleman who brings news and serves as messenger.
- [Lennox](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/lennox.md): Scottish thane who becomes suspicious of Macbeth.
- [Donalbain](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/donalbain.md): Duncan's younger son who flees to Ireland after the murder.
- [Hecate](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/hecate.md): Goddess of witchcraft who chides the three witches.
- [Three Witches](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/three_witches.md): Supernatural beings who prophesy Macbeth's rise and fall.
- [Siward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/siward.md): Earl of Northumberland who leads English forces against Macbeth.
- [Young Siward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/young_siward.md): Siward's son, killed by Macbeth in battle.
- [Porter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/porter.md): Gatekeeper at Macbeth's castle who delivers a comic monologue.
- [Doctor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/doctor.md): Physician who observes Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking.
- [Gentlewoman](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/gentlewoman.md): Lady Macbeth's waiting woman who reports her sleepwalking.
- [Murderers](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/murderers.md): Hired killers who assassinate Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance.
- [Lord](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/lord.md): Scottish nobleman who speaks of Malcolm's exile.
- [Macdonwald](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/macdonwald.md): Rebel leader defeated by Macbeth before the play begins.
- [Thane of Cawdor](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters/cawdor.md): Traitor executed by Duncan; his title is given to Macbeth.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/macbeth_se/characters