These are rough
character sketches of the various roles in MacBeth. With the
exception of Lord and Lady MacBeth and Lord and Lady MacDuff, the
characters can be played by actors of either gender. A number of the
parts in italics may be played by one actor depending of the number
of cast members.
- Angus
- Character
role. One of the lords of the land. Joins the other lords in revolt
against Macbeth.
- Apparitions
- Spirits
of the oracle that the witches cast for MacBeth. Will be voiced
offstage into a microphone or prerecorded.
- Banquo
- MacBeth’s
best friend. His trust of MacBeth blinds him to the danger he is in
until it is too late.
- Caithness
- Character role. One of the lords of the land. Joins the other
lords in revolt against Macbeth.
- Doctor
- Diagnoses
the malady that eventually does in Lady MacBeth.
- Donalbain
-
Son of Ducan. Flees to Ireland after his father’s murder.
- Duncan
- The
current king of the realm. A strong king, but he trusts too much. It
is this trust that MacBeth and his wife use to murder him.
- Fleance
- Banquo’s
son or daughter. Has minimal lines, but potential for some great
character work. Looking for an child actor to fill this role.
- Lady MacBeth
- Easily
the most intelligent character in the play. In a world of brutality
she has risen through smarts, charisma, and sex. Her major flaw,
which does her in, is that for all her ambition she cannot divest
herself of her humanity.
- Lady MacDuff
- A
good woman who is sacrificed to MacBeth’s tyranny. Her murder
spurs MacDuff into seeking vengeance. Requires an actress able to do
a very violent domestic violence/rape scene.
- Lennox
- Another
of the sundry lords. Mainly a bystanding observer in the play. He
grows more cynical as he witness the corruption of Macbeth.
- MacBeth
- The
anti-hero of the play. The seed of knowledge given to him by the
witches germinates in his own ambition to turn him for a good man to
an evil one. Will have major stage fight scenes.
- MacDuff
- A man
of the times. A savage warrior, but with a sense of honor. It is his
anger and rage that finally does in MacBeth. Will have the most stage
combat in the play.
- Malcom
- Son of
Duncan. Flees to England after his father’s murder. Returns in
the latter half of the play to lead the revolt against MacBeth.
- Menteith
- Character role. One of the lords of the land. Joins the other
lords in revolt against Macbeth.
- Porter
-
Keeper of the gate to MacBeth’s fortress and a drunkard. One of
the few comic roles in the play. May or may not be the devil is
disguise.
- Ross
- One of the
lords of the land. Joins the other lords in revolt against Macbeth.
- Sergeant
-
Soldier in Duncan’s army. Delivers the exposition.
- Servant
- He or
she has served MacBeth and Lady Macbeth for a long time. Both of them
depend on him or her for their needs. The Servant is the observer,
the audience interior to the play. It is only when things are truly
turning bad does the Servant leave his/her masters.
- Seyton
- Toady
and attendant to Macbeth. Another great character role.
- Siward
- An
ally of Malcom and Mcduff. Brutally slain by Macbeth during the final
battle.
- Son
-
MacDuff’s son or daughter. A bit of a brat. Killed on
MacBeth’s orders. Looking for a child actor for this role. Will
need to be in a domestic violence scene.
- The Three Witches
-
Not evil, per say, but not benevolent. They are the personification
of the oracle, wisdom and knowledge. Looking for one male and two
females. At least two of the three will have dance numbers.
- First
Witch
- Male. Should be an imposing figure. He is the embodiment
of the power the witches.
- Second
Witch
- Female Lithe and mysterious. Embodiment of the aboriginal
and sexual power the witches.
- Third
Witch
- Female + 1 The third witch is an enigma. She is covered
in rags and refuse. More like a walking pile of junk. She does not
speak, but moves with intent. Chained to her is a child or teenage
who is the one who speaks.
- The Witches’ Coterie
- Slaves and servants to the witches. Nonspeaking, but
will have dance and movement parts. Some of the coterie will be used
for smaller roles in the play (the Sergeant, Murders etc.)
- The Court
- People
of Duncan’s (then MacBeth’s) court. Nonspeaking character
roles. Some of the court will be used for smaller roles in the play
(the Sergeant, Murders etc.)