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- Macbeth is first seen as a strong warrior who fights bravely in battle. He's ambitious - he wants to become King of Scotland and will do anything to make that happen even commit murder. However, he has a conscience and often doubts whether he is doing the right thing. He spends a lot of time feeling guilty. He's easily influenced by others which some will see as being weak.
- The way Macbeth speaks reflects his state of mind. He asks a lot of questions when he is feeling uncertain or guilty: "Whence is that knocking? How is't with me, when every noise appals me?" At the start and end of the play his language is more certain and confident: " Stars, hide your fires", "I will not yield".
- Macbeth is brave - "Brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name".
- Macbeth is guilty - "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?"
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- Macbeth plays the largest role within the tragic story of Macbeth as he is the main character and the story is based around his life, rise to power and then downfall. This role if more formally known within Shakespearean tragedies as the Tragic Hero.
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- At the start of the play, Macbeth is described as a "valiant" warrior. Rosse compare him to "Bellona's bridegroom" - he's saying that Macbeth is like Mars, the god of war.
- Macbeth's brave actions impress the King, who names him Thane of Cawdor. This title shows that the King recognises Macbeth's "personal venture" (how bravely he fought) and loyalty.
- By the end of the play, Macbeth's come full circle - he's retured to being the brave soldier he was in Act 1. This contrasts with the middle of the play, where he seems weak and uncertain.
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- Macbeth knows that Duncan is a good king - "clear in his great office", and that killing him would damage Scotland. Macbeth places his own desires above his love of Scotland - this hints that he'll be a bad king.
- Lady Macbeth greatly influences Mavbeth - he wouldn't kill Duncan if it wasn't for her. Macbeth acts because he doesn't want to seen as unmanly or a "coward".
- As the Witches' prophecies start to come true, Macbeth's belief in them increases. He begins to rely more heavily on what they say, and panics when their prophecies are fulfilled unexpectedly.
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