Macbeth
Macbeth is the thane of Glamis who is given prophecies by the three witches. He is told that he will become the thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland. After being named thane of Cawdor he starts to believe the witches prophecies and tells Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is convinced by lady Macbeth to murder King Duncan so he can take the throne. To cover up this murder, King Duncan's chamberlains are framed and the murders continue. Guilt stays with Macbeth and hallucinations begin. Macbeth was never truly set on murdering King Duncan, and isn't truly a villain or criminal, but his greed overcomes him often.
Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth is very set on power. Unlike Macbeth, she does not feel guilty easily. After receiving news of the prophecies from Macbeth, Lady Macbeth doesn't hesitate to convince Macbeth to murder King Duncan. She is truly greedy and yearns for power. After a while, however, Lady Macbeth's conscience gets the best of her. She asks to be unsexed in the beginning of the play/book in order to take the man's role over Macbeth, and she does. Lady Macbeth has a much more evil and greedy personality than Macbeth.
The Three Witches
The Three Witches give Macbeth prophecies to urge him to murder King Duncan. They continue to give Macbeth more information, which only brings out the villainous side of Macbeth. They use spells, charms, and their prophecies against Macbeth. The Three Witches are led by Hecate. Hecate is not happy with what the witches are telling Macbeth, and the effects their prophecies are having. The true personalities and intentions of the witches can be unclear, but they are overall very evil and mysterious.
Banquo
Banquo is supposed to inherit the throne of King Duncan according to what the witches tell Macbeth. Banquo can be desiring, but would never commit such crimes as Macbeth does. He does not agree with what Macbeth's mindset. Banquo realizes that Macbeth is suspicious, so Macbeth sends three murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. Macbeth sees Banquo's ghost multiple times throughout the play/book.
King Duncan
King Duncan is the King of Scotland. He is much liked by the people of Scotland. King Duncan is a great ruler to the people, and Macbeth does not seem to disagree. When Macbeth is told the witches' prophecies, however, he is told by Lady Macbeth to kill King Duncan. The King is killed by Macbeth in order to have his throne taken. Scotland quickly falls out of order without their king or the king's correct heir.
Timeline of Major Characters
1.3: Macbeth is given 2.1: Macbeth is convinced 4.1: Macbeth is shown 5.3: Macbeth is told 5.5: Macbeth receives 5.8: Macbeth fights Macduff
prophicies by The by lady Macbeth to 3.3: Macbeth sees three apparitions by that Birnam Forest news of Lady who tells him he is not born
Three Witches. murder King Duncan. 3.3: Banquo is murdered Banquo's ghost. the witches. is coming to Dunsinane. Macbeth's death. of woman and beheads him. <------^-----------------^----------------------^------------------^-----------------^-------------------^----------------------^------------------------^-------------->
prophicies by The by lady Macbeth to 3.3: Macbeth sees three apparitions by that Birnam Forest news of Lady who tells him he is not born
Three Witches. murder King Duncan. 3.3: Banquo is murdered Banquo's ghost. the witches. is coming to Dunsinane. Macbeth's death. of woman and beheads him. <------^-----------------^----------------------^------------------^-----------------^-------------------^----------------------^------------------------^-------------->