Character Sketch from ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 4 of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, the Ghost of Banquo, the Lords and the First Murderer
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, Lady Macbeth, the Ghost of Banquo, the Lords and the First Murderer from ISC Class 12 English Drama Macbeth Act 3 Scene 4
- Character Sketch of Macbeth
- Questions related to the character of Macbeth
- Character Sketch of Lady Macbeth
- Questions related to the Character of Lady Macbeth
- Character Sketch of the Ghost of Banquo
- Questions related to the Character of the Ghost of Banquo
- Character Sketch of the Lords
- Questions related to the character of the Lords
- Character Sketch of the First Murderer
- Questions related to the character of the First Murderer
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Character Sketch of Macbeth
In this scene, Macbeth undergoes a total psychological breakdown. He begins by trying to play the humble host, but the news of Fleance’s escape makes him feel ‘cabin’d, cribb’d, confin’d’. When he sees Banquo’s ghost, his courage vanishes, and he becomes a man haunted by his own bloodlust. His behavior proves he is no longer fit to lead, as he is governed by prolonged illness and suspicion. By the end of the scene, he accepts his role as a tyrant, realizing he has crossed a point of no return and must continue killing to survive.
Questions related to the character of Macbeth
Q1. Why does Macbeth see Banquo’s ghost?
Q2. What changes are seen in Macbeth’s behaviour?
Character Sketch of Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth acts as the anchor in this scene, desperately trying to maintain social order. She displays an incredible presence of mind by inventing excuses for Macbeth’s behavior to protect their secret. However, we see a shift in her power; while she still mocks Macbeth’s foolish act brought on by fear and questions his manhood, she is clearly exhausted. This is the last scene where she truly shares power with her husband; after the guests leave, she is quiet and focused only on his need for sleep, showing that she is losing her influence over his increasingly violent mind.
Questions related to the character of Lady Macbeth
Q1. How does Lady Macbeth act as an anchor?
Q2. How does she protect the secret?
Character Sketch of the Ghost of Banquo
Though a silent figure, the Ghost is the most powerful character in the room. It represents Macbeth’s conscience and the physical manifestation of his guilt. The Ghost’s appearance with ‘gory locks’ and ‘twenty trenched gashes’ serves as a reminder that Macbeth’s path to the throne was built on the betrayal of his closest friend. By sitting in Macbeth’s reserved seat, the Ghost symbolically occupies the place of the man, where Macbeth should have been, or perhaps the place of the king, Banquo’s descendants will become.
Questions related to the character of the Ghost of Banquo
Q1. What does Banquo’s ghost represent?
Q2. Describe the physical appearance of Banquo’s ghost.
Character Sketch of the Lords
Ross and Lennox represent the Scottish nobility and the public eye. Initially, they are loyal and respectful, but as they witness Macbeth’s bizarre outbursts, their attitude shifts to confusion and suspicion. Ross is the first to notice Macbeth is unwell, and Lennox is the one who points out the empty seat. Their presence is crucial because they are the audience to Macbeth’s madness; they take the news of his instability back to the rest of the kingdom, fueling the eventual rebellion against him.
Questions related to the character of the Lords
Q1. Why are the lords suspicious?
Q2. How do the lords initiate the rebellion against Macbeth?
Character Sketch of the First Murderer
The Murderer acts as the harbinger of bad news. His appearance at the door of a royal banquet creates a sharp contrast between the ceremony of the palace and the blood of the outside world. He represents the messy reality of Macbeth’s crimes. When he tells Macbeth that Fleance has escaped, he unknowingly seals the fate of the kingdom, as this news is what triggers Macbeth’s final descent into madness.
Questions related to the character of the First Murderer
Q1. What does the first murderer represent?
Q2. What news from the murderer triggers Macbeth’s madness?