Understanding Characters
Macbeth
Macbeth Who?
Who is this Macbeth? Look at what is said about him in Act One Scene Two before we
even meet him - list five things we learn about Macbeth:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Summarise: What does this tell us about Macbeth?
Murderous Macbeth:
How does Macbeth change? Look at the following quotations and explain how it shows his change
in character.
A. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical/Shakes so my single state of man…”
B. “I have no spur/To price the sides of my intent, but only/Vaulting ambition…”
C. “False face must hide what the false heart doth know.”
D. “Art thou but/A dagger of the mind, a false creation?”
Down with the tyrant!
How do attitudes towards Macbeth change from Act Three? Give one quotation or explanation as
to how the attitudes of the characters below change:
• Banquo:
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Lady Macbeth:
The Witches/Hecate:
Lennox:
Ross:
Malcolm:
Macduff:
Doctor:
A Tragic Hero?
Macbeth is often called a tragic hero, although how far you agree with this definition is up to you!
Below are the key components of a tragic hero - can you find examples of them in the play?
1. Evokes pity or fear from the audience:
2. The tragic hero moves from having it all to losing everything:
3. He makes an error in judgement:
4. The character does have some virtues, even if these are lost:
5. They commit a great wrong or injury:
6. By the end, the tragic hero often realises the depth of the wrong they have done:
And finally…
1) Macbeth is a character of many monologues and soliloquies - if he had
the chance before he died, what would be in his death speech?
2) Write a eulogy for Macbeth - what would be said about him after his
death? Don’t forget to think about the entirety of his life! © Literacy Stars - for reuse and reproduction in the classroom with your stars only!
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth: The Wannabe Queen
As soon as Lady Macbeth hears about the witches’ prophecies, she is excited.
However, she is worried too. Give four of her worries, with quotations if possible.
1.
2.
3.
4.
A Cruel Wife:
Lady Macbeth is not exactly the most loving wife. What sorts of accusations and fears does she
throw at her husband?
1.
2.
3.
4.
How does Lady Macbeth try to control and manipulate Macbeth? List a technique and an example
of this:
Technique:
Example:
Technique:
Example:
Technique:
Example:
From Evil to Insane:
Lady Macbeth’s guilt drives her mad: can you find examples of how her initial feelings change by
Act Five?
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“Unsex me here”
“Look like the innocent flower/But be the serpent under’t”
“And dash’d the brains out”
“That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold”
“A little water clears us of this deed”
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What is Lady Macbeth afraid of?
Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking is a sign of her guilty conscience catching up on her. The Doctor and
Gentlewoman overhear her deepest fears - what are they?
And Finally…
1) When she’s sleepwalking, Lady Macbeth takes out and keeps folding a piece of paper. Imagine
she’s written something on her piece of paper - what has she written? Is it a confession, a
recount, what she wants to tell someone…?
2) Lady Macbeth dies and all Macbeth says is “She should have died hereafter” - it’s not a very
fitting end to their marriage. You have been charged with writing her eulogy for her funeral what would you say?
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Macduff
‘Beware the Thane of Fife’
But really, what does make Macduff such an intimidating figure?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
A Family Man?
Macduff leaves his family to support the rightful king, Malcolm - is he right to do
so? Re-read the conversation between Lady Macduff and her son in Act Four
Scene Two and debate whether the Thane of Fife was right to leave them.
A Prophecy Fulfilled
Macduff fulfils the prophecy by not being "of woman born" - is he the real hero of this play?
Discuss and debate his role as a hero considering the criteria below:
1. He acts for the good of others
2. He shows loyalty and nobility
3. He is a warrior fighting for right and just causes
4. He is honest in his intentions
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The Three Witches
Hubble Bubble Toil and Trouble
The witches sections are often speculated as being added later by Thomas
Middleton, stemming from their difference to the rest of the play. What key
techniques are used in the witches’ speeches?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Next to each technique, write an effect it might have an the audience - think
about how it sounds, and the atmosphere they create.
What are they here for?
What are the witches’ prophecies? Look at Act One and Act Four for quotations stating their
predictions. Don’t forget to include other characters, not just Macbeth!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Affect on the Plot
The witches manipulate the plot of the play from the very first words - how do they control and craft
what happens?
Become a Prophet!
If you could add another prophecy to Macbeth, using verse and rhyme, what would you
tell him? © Literacy Stars - for reuse and reproduction in the classroom with your stars only!
Duncan
A noble king
Duncan is said to have many wonderful and virtuous qualities - what are they?
You will need to focus on Act One, using quotations where possible.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Did he deserve to die?
Duncan was a good king, but equally is very trusting and maybe even naive. Do you think he
deserved his fate?
Malcolm
Deception and Deceit
In Act Four, Malcolm tests Macduff’s loyalty before admitting him to his inner circle. How does he
do this?
To Battle!
Knowing what kind of person Malcolm is, how would he lead his troops to battle?
Write a war speech for him to deliver before attacking Dunsinane Castle! © Literacy Stars - for reuse and reproduction in the classroom with your stars only!
Banquo
The Best Friend
Everybody needs good friends - including Macbeth. How would you describe their friendship?
Changes…
How does Macbeth and Banquo’s friendship develop? Find six quotations showing the doubt,
worry and betrayal that occurs within their relationship.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Murder on the Moors
Macbeth murders Banquo to cover his own tracks and prevent the prophecy about Banquo’s
lineage coming true.
1. What do you learn about Banquo and Fleance’s relationship? How does this make Banquo’s
murder appear?
2. Banquo represents nobility, order and honour - how would you perform his death to show the
destruction of these qualities? Prepare a freeze frame or tableaux to show this!
3. The Ghost of Banquo is a wordless part - how would you make the ghost act and perform to
terrify Macbeth?
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