Character Sketch from ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3 of Macbeth, Banquo, Three Witches, Ross and Angus
A character sketch defines what the character is like and how he/she evolves or develops throughout the story. In this post you can find the Character Sketch of Macbeth, Banquo, Three Witches, Ross and Angus from ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 3
- Character Sketch of Macbeth
- Questions related to the Character of Macbeth
- Character Sketch of Banquo
- Questions related to the Character of Banquo
- Character Sketch of the Three Witches
- Questions related to the Character of the Three Witches
- Character Sketch of Ross and Angus
- Questions related to the Character of Ross and Angus
Related:
Character Sketch of Macbeth
Macbeth is introduced here as a brave and successful military hero, having just fought valiantly for King Duncan. However, the scene quickly reveals his deep-seated ambition and moral vulnerability. When the Witches hail him with titles he has not yet earned Thane of Cawdor and King, he is visibly startled and confused, showing he is already entertaining these ambitious thoughts. The immediate fulfillment of the Thane of Cawdor prophecy is a powerful catalyst that awakens a terrible, conflicting desire within him. He is shown to be highly imaginative and reflective in his soliloquy, where the thought of murdering King Duncan, a ‘horrid image’, instantly arises and terrifies him, revealing his initial struggle with conscience. He is easily influenced by the supernatural and begins to contemplate dark deeds, but ultimately tries to leave his fate to chance, a sign of his initial hesitation before deciding on a murderous path.
Questions related to the Character of Macbeth
Q1. Why is Macbeth confused?
Q2. Why are various titles conferred upon Macbeth?
Character Sketch of Banquo
Banquo serves as a foil i.e. contrast to Macbeth, highlighting Macbeth’s moral downfall. He is also a brave and loyal soldier, fighting alongside Macbeth. Unlike Macbeth, Banquo is immediately skeptical and cautious about the Witches’ prophecies. He is the first to question the strange appearance of the Witches and later warns Macbeth that ‘instruments of darkness’ often use small truths to lead people to dangerous betrayal. This shows he is wise and morally grounded, recognizing the evil intent behind the seemingly good predictions. Although he is given his own prophecy that he will be the father of kings, he does not dwell on it with the same feverish ambition as Macbeth, but instead treats it with distrust and reasoned caution. He is a figure of honor and integrity whose clear-sightedness is a stark contrast to Macbeth’s immediate surrender to dark thoughts.
Questions related to the Character of Banquo
Q1. How is Banquo a contrast to Macbeth?
Q2. Why does Banquo question the appearance of the witches?
Character Sketch of the Three Witches (The Weird Sisters)
The Witches represent supernatural evil, chaos, and temptation. They are presented as malevolent and powerful, capable of meddling in human affairs and controlling nature, as shown by their discussion of killing swine and controlling the wind to torment a sailor. Their appearance is described as ‘withered, and so wild in their attire’, making them seem unnatural and repulsive. They are the catalysts for the play’s action, delivering the prophecies that spark Macbeth’s ambition. Their language is often cryptic and ambiguous ‘Lesser than Macbeth, and greater’, making their pronouncements a source of confusion and terror. They are not merely fortune-tellers; they are the personification of temptation who awaken and exploit the existing darkness in Macbeth’s heart.
Questions related to the Character of the Three Witches
Q1. What do the witches represent?
Q2. Why do the witches use cryptic language?
Character Sketch of Ross and Angus
Ross and Angus are the messengers who represent the world of King Duncan and the Scottish nobility. They are loyal and respectful, praising Macbeth’s courage and success in the battle. Their most important function is to be the instrument of fate that confirms the first prophecy. By delivering the news that Macbeth has been made the Thane of Cawdor, they provide the tangible proof that fuels Macbeth’s belief in the Witches and escalates his ambition. They are essentially minor, honorable characters whose main purpose is to advance the plot and validate the Witches’ power.
Questions related to the Character of Ross and Angus
Q1. Discuss the traits of Ross and Angus.
Q2. How do Ross and Angus escalate Macbeth’s ambition?