Character Relationship Map: Macbeth

Characters

• Macbeth (played by Orson Welles) — protagonist

  Macbeth is a Scottish nobleman who is hailed by prophetic figures as a future king and later receives the title Thane of Cawdor. Persuaded by Lady Macbeth, he murders Duncan, frames the king's servant...

• Lady Macbeth (played by Jeanette Nolan) — supporting

  Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's wife and his strongest early influence. After reading his account of the prophecy, she challenges his courage and persuades him to murder Duncan. She later helps conceal his...

• Macduff (played by Dan O'Herlihy) — supporting

  Macduff is a Scottish nobleman who becomes Macbeth's enemy after fleeing to England. Macbeth brands him a traitor and sends soldiers to kill his family, including Lady Macduff and their child. Swearin...

• Malcolm (played by Roddy McDowall) — supporting

  Malcolm is Duncan's son and the rightful successor to the Scottish crown. After Duncan's murder, he flees for safety, while Macbeth is crowned king. Malcolm later returns from England with Macduff and...

• Banquo (played by Edgar Barrier) — supporting

  Banquo is a military companion of Macbeth who encounters the prophetic figures with him. Their prophecy suggests that Banquo's descendants will rule Scotland, making Macbeth fearful of his future. Ban...

• Duncan (played by Erskine Sanford) — supporting

  Duncan is the king of Scotland who welcomes and praises Macbeth after the victory against his enemies. He announces that he will spend the night at Macbeth's castle, where Macbeth murders him with Lad...

• Ross (played by John Dierkes) — supporting

  Ross is a Scottish figure who reports the destruction of Macduff's family after Macbeth's soldiers attack the castle. His news prompts Macduff to swear revenge. After Macbeth is defeated, Ross present...

• Lady Macduff/The Three (played by Peggy Webber) — supporting

  This credited role combines Lady Macduff with the prophetic figures who approach Macbeth and Banquo. As Lady Macduff, the character is part of Macduff's family and is killed with the family when Macbe...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Macduff → Lady Macduff/The Three (Family) — Macduff's family becomes the emotional cause of his revenge.

  Ross tells Macduff that his family has been killed, including Lady Macduff and their young son.

• Duncan → Malcolm (Family Father And Son) — Malcolm is one of Duncan's sons and a successor connected to his death.

  The plot identifies Malcolm and Donalbain as Duncan's sons, who flee after Duncan is found dead.

• Macbeth → Duncan (Power Subject And King) — Duncan is Macbeth's king and a powerful patron before the betrayal.

  Duncan praises Macbeth, awards him the title of Thane of Cawdor, and announces that he will stay at Macbeth's castle.

• Macbeth → Lady Macbeth (Romantic Spouses) — Their marriage is central to Macbeth's decisions and moral collapse.

  Macbeth sends a letter to his wife, and Lady Macbeth discusses and supports his rise to power.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Ross → Macduff (Narrative Messenger) — Ross delivers the news that transforms Macduff's grief into a vow of revenge.

  Ross informs Macduff that his family has been killed.

• Macduff → Malcolm (Alliance Rebel Allies) — They join forces to restore Scotland after Macbeth's seizure of power.

  Macduff returns to Scotland with Malcolm and an army to wage war against Macbeth.

• Macbeth → Lady Macduff/The Three (Conflict Persecutor And Victim) — Macbeth's order destroys Macduff's household.

  Macbeth sends soldiers to Macduff's castle, where Lady Macduff and the rest of the family are put to death.

• Macbeth → Macduff (Conflict Arch Enemies) — Macduff becomes the principal force that ends Macbeth's reign.

  The Three Witches warn Macbeth to beware of Macduff, and Macduff later battles and beheads Macbeth.

• Macbeth → Malcolm (Conflict Usurper And Heir) — Macbeth's seizure of the crown directly opposes Malcolm's claim.

  After Duncan's death and the flight of Duncan's sons, Macbeth is crowned king; Malcolm later returns with an army against him.

• Lady Macbeth → Duncan (Conflict Conspirator And Victim) — She is a direct conspirator in the king's murder.

  Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to murder Duncan and helps him manage the daggers after the killing.

• Macbeth → Banquo (Alliance Military Comrade) — They begin as fellow warriors connected by shared military experience.

  Macbeth and Banquo are approached together by the Three Witches after a battle.

Story Analysis

A prophecy-driven rise to power becomes a cycle of murder, guilt, rebellion, and violent restoration.

Plot Progression

1. Prophecy and Rising Ambition — The Three Witches predict Macbeth's advancement, and the Cawdor title confirms part of their prophecy. Macbeth shares the news with Lady Macbeth, who begins pushing him toward regicide.
2. Murder Beneath Hospitality — Duncan visits Macbeth's castle, unaware that the royal welcome conceals a murder plot. Lady Macbeth overcomes Macbeth's hesitation, and Duncan's death is hidden through a false accusation.
3. The Crown Becomes a Prison — Macbeth takes the Scottish crown after Duncan's sons flee. His fear of Banquo's descendants leads to Banquo's murder, while Banquo's ghost exposes Macbeth's psychological collapse at the banquet.
4. Tyranny and Retaliation — The Three Witches direct Macbeth's fear toward Macduff. Macbeth retaliates by destroying Macduff's household, and Macduff responds by joining Malcolm and swearing revenge.
5. The Castle Falls — Lady Macbeth's guilt becomes hallucination and sleepwalking before her death. Malcolm's army invades under concealed branches, and Macduff kills Macbeth before Malcolm receives the crown.