Macbeth list of characters
With plot summary
Summary
Three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more death. Yay!
Characters
A note about the characters in our particular production; we've taken some artistic license and changed some of them to suit our needs. Angus, The Doctor, and Seyton each, for example represent amalgamations of a number of different characters in the original play.
THE MERCILESS MACDONWALD
Not seen in the play but referenced as a Scottish traitor aligned with Norway against King Duncan. Macbeth is praised for killing him in battle.
TRAITOROUS THANE OF CAWDOR
Also not seen in the play and also a traitor to King Duncan. Duncan decides to bestow Cawdor’s title on Macbeth, and to execute the former thane.
THE THREE WITCHES
Supernatural agents of fate who prophecy that Macbeth will become the king of Scotland; they also predict his fall. [Played by Katya Schiesser , Frida Schiesser, and Anika Rose]
KING DUNCAN
The good-natured, honest and trustworthy King of Scotland; he is also politically naive, in part because he trusts Macbeth, who ends up murdering him. Macbeth is his cousin and one of his most trusted generals. [Played by Bill Brobeck and understudy Tim Morrill (not pictured here)]
MALCOM
Duncan's elder son, named as the heir to the throne of Scotland; he flees to England after his father's assassination. While in England he entreats his uncle, Old Siward, to raise an army to fight Macbeth. [Played by Kelsey Goeres]
DONALBAIN
Duncan’s younger son; he flees to Ireland after his father is murdered. [Played by Robin Beeseley and understudy Karin Jensen (not pictured here)]
BANQUO
A general in Duncan's army, he is Macbeth's closest friend. When Macbeth fears Banquo suspects him of murdering Duncan, he arranges to have Banquo murdered. [Played by Ben Rings]
FLEANCE
Banquo's son. He manages to escape an assassination attempt. He is destined to become ancestor to a long line of kings, culminating in England's King James I. [Played by Aaron Bruce]
LENNOX
One of Duncan’s nobles, he functions largely as an observer in the play. He accompanies Macbeth to the dead king’s chamber and, suspicious of what he sees, he grows increasingly sarcastic and fearful for the fate of Scotland. [Played by Jenifer Strach]
ROSS
A cousin of Macduff, he acts as a messenger in the play, bringing good news of Macbeth’s victory and bad news about Macduff's family. [Played by Bruce Kaplan]
MACBETH
One of Duncan's most courageous generals. His driving ambition to become King of Scotland, and the encouragement of his wife corrupt him and cause him to murder Duncan. [Played by Luis Araquistain]
LADY MACBETH
As ambitious as her husband, she taunts Macbeth’s courage to insure that he will murder Duncan and become king. Her power of language is famous. [Played by Darrah Jones]
CAITHNESS
Loyal to King Duncan's son Malcolm, Caithness joins Lennox and others in leading the Scottish forces in the revolt against Macbeth. [Played by Donna Blevins]
THE MURDERERS
A group of ruffians conscripted by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (whom they fail to kill), and Macduff's wife and children. [Played by Anika Rose, Frida Schiesser, and Katya Schiesser]
ANGUS
A Thane who who serves under King Duncan and fights alongside Macbeth in several battles. During the war with Norway, Angus bravely prevents Malcom from being captured by the enemy. [Played by Gene Kahane]
PORTER
The keeper of Macbeth's castle who drunkenly imagines that he’s gatekeeper to Hell. [Played by David Weiner]
MACDUFF (thane of Fife)
A Scottish general who strongly suspects Macbeth of murdering Duncan. Macduff swears vengeance after Macbeth has his wife and children murdered. [Played by Lisa Appleyard]
LADY MACDUFF
Married to Macduff and together they have a young son. Both Lady Macduff and her son are murdered at Macbeth's orders. Although the Macduffs have other children, they are not seen in the play but all are murdered by Macbeth's henchmen. [Played by Jennifer Morrill]
MADUFF'S SON
Macduff's son is witty and clever. He is a boy full of potential, which makes it more poignant that he dies as he gets murdered by Macbeth's henchmen. [Played by Aaron Bruce]
SEYTON
Macbeth’s lieutenant / assistant late in the play. [Played by Robin Beeseley and understudy Karin Jensen (not pictured here)]
THE DOCTOR
The Doctor is fully aware that Lady Macbeth has unwittingly confessed to the murder of Duncan and is amazed to hear that the rumours are true. [Played by Bill Brobeck and understudy Tim Morrill (not pictured here)]
HECATE
Sometimes referred to as the queen of the witches, she presides over all nocturnal horrors; it is she who directs the supernatural happenings and appearances of the mystical apparitions. [Played by Jennifer Morrill]
OLD SIWARD
Earl of Northumberland; an English ally of Malcolm and Macduff. He is also Malcolm's uncle. [Played by Ben Rings]
YOUNG SIWARD
Old Siward's son; slain by Macbeth in hand-to-hand combat. Although he's defeated by Macbeth, he gains renown for his bravery while facing such a formidable enemy. [Played by Anika Rose]