Chaacters & Roles
Macbeth’s close friend who is prophesied to father a line of kings.
Who is Banquo?
The play opens with this mysterious group meeting in thunder and lightning.
Who are the Weird Sisters (or witches)?
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
Who are the witches?
This image symbolizes guilt and appears on hands and in sleepwalking.
What is blood?
Macbeth is set in this country.
What is Scotland?
The Scottish noble who flees to England and later leads the charge against Macbeth.
Who is Macduff?
At the royal banquet, Macbeth is haunted by this terrifying sight.
What is Banquo’s ghost?
“Is this a dagger which I see before me…?”
Who is Macbeth?
Macbeth says this natural human state is “murdered” after Duncan’s death.
What is sleep?
Shakespeare likely leaned into witchcraft to appeal to this king’s interests.
Who is King James I?
The character who calls on spirits to “unsex” her as she pushes Macbeth toward murder.
Who is Lady Macbeth?
To secure the throne, Macbeth arranges the murder of Banquo and this person.
Who is Fleance?
“Out, damned spot!”
Who is Lady Macbeth?
The witches predict Macbeth’s future, raising the question of whether his life is controlled by this.
What is fate?
The main verse rhythm of Macbeth’s speeches
What is iambic pentameter?
Duncan’s elder son, named heir, who eventually returns with an army.
Who is Malcolm?
Duncan is murdered while staying at Macbeth’s castle in this location.
What is Inverness?
“There’s daggers in men’s smiles.”
Who is Donalbain?
Banquo’s appearance at the banquet highlights this motif: the dead returning to trouble the living.
What is haunting?
Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed at this famous London theater, built in 1599.
What is the Globe (Theatre)?
The character who provides comic relief by pretending to be the gatekeeper of hell.
Who is the Porter?
The prophecy turns literal when this “wood” appears to move toward Dunsinane.
What is Birnam Wood?
“O horror, horror, horror! Tongue nor heart cannot conceive nor name thee!”
Who is Macduff?
Macbeth describes “vaulting” this quality that “o’erleaps itself,” and it drives his rise—and ruin.
What is ambition?
Shakespeare’s acting company, patronized by King James I, was called this.
What are the King’s Men?