Character Sketch from ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 2 of King Duncan, Malcolm, Sergeant, Ross and Macbeth
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 King Duncan, Malcolm, Sergeant, Ross and Macbeth from ISC Class 11 English Drama Macbeth Act 1 Scene 2
- Character Sketch of King Duncan
- Questions related to the Character of King Duncan
- Character Sketch of Malcolm
- Questions related to the Character of Malcolm
- Character Sketch of Sergeant
- Questions related to the Character of Sergeant
- Character Sketch of Ross
- Questions related to the Character of Ross
- Character Sketch of Macbeth
- Questions related to the Character of Macbeth
Related:
Character Sketch of King Duncan
King Duncan is presented as a benevolent, gracious, and somewhat detached ruler. His primary function in this scene is to receive reports, dispense justice, and express gratitude. He is immediately concerned with getting an accurate report on the revolt, showing his responsibility as a monarch. Duncan is highly appreciative of loyalty and valor, as evidenced by his effusive praise for the Sergeant, ‘So well thy words become thee as thy wounds. They smack of honor both’. and his cousin Macbeth ‘O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman’. His reaction to the news of the Thane of Cawdor’s betrayal is swift and decisive, he orders the traitor’s execution without hesitation. Furthermore, he is generous and just in his rewards, immediately bestowing Cawdor’s former title upon Macbeth for his heroic service. He relies heavily on the reports of others, which suggests he is not a man of the battlefield himself, but he exercises his royal authority effectively to maintain order and reward merit.
Questions related to the Character of King Duncan
Q1. Why does King Duncan praise the Sergeant?
Q2. Describe the character traits of King Duncan.
Character Sketch of Malcolm
Malcolm, King Duncan’s son, plays a small but significant role, primarily by identifying the wounded soldier as the man who saved him from capture. This detail establishes Malcolm as a direct participant, or at least a potential victim, of the conflict, and also provides the dramatic context for the Sergeant’s subsequent speech. He is respectful of both the King and the soldier, addressing the Sergeant as ‘brave friend’ and urging him to report to the King. His final line in the scene, identifying Ross as ‘The worthy Thane of Ross’, shows his familiarity with the noblemen of Scotland and his supportive role alongside his father.
Questions related to the Character of Malcolm
Q1. How does Malcolm show respect for the soldier?
Q2. How do we see Malcolm’s familiarity with the noblemen of Scotland?
Character Sketch of Sergeant
The Sergeant is a figure of heroic suffering and dramatic eloquence. His appearance as bloody and severely wounded, immediately signifies the brutality and high stakes of the battle. He is presented as a ‘good and hardy soldier’ whose physical suffering is a testament to his bravery and loyalty. His report is not just a factual account but a vivid, highly metaphorical, and extended piece of descriptive poetry. He uses powerful imagery, comparing the initial conflict to ‘two spent swimmers’ and later comparing Macbeth and Banquo’s ferocity to ‘cannons overcharged with double cracks’. His intense focus on Macbeth’s actions ‘Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chaps’ establishes Macbeth’s savage bravery. The Sergeant’s sudden collapse ‘I am faint; My gashes cry for help’ emphasizes the cost of the victory and proves his words’ truth, earning him the King’s deepest respect and immediate care.
Questions related to the Character of Sergeant
Q1. Describe the character of the Sergeant.
Q2. How does the Sergeant appear in this scene?
Character Sketch of Ross
The Thane of Ross is introduced as a nobleman whose appearance telegraphs the urgency and importance of his news ‘What a haste looks through his eyes. So should he look That seems to speak things strange’. He arrives from the thick of the action at Fife, carrying the final, victorious report. Like the Sergeant, Ross is a great admirer of Macbeth’s martial prowess, bestowing the high honorific ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’ upon him, which elevates Macbeth to an almost mythical status as a figure of war. His report confirms the total victory and the enemy’s submission, including the detail of the large monetary payment demanded from the Norwegian king, which underscores the magnitude of the Scottish triumph. His final loyalty is shown in his quick acceptance of the King’s command to pronounce the execution of Cawdor and grant the title to Macbeth.
Questions related to the Character of Ross
Q1. How do we see Ross’s admiration for Macbeth?
Q2. Describe Ross.
Character Sketch of Macbeth
While Macbeth does not physically appear in this scene, the detailed reports from the Sergeant and Ross are crucial in establishing his character and reputation. He is painted as a superhuman warrior, a figure of unmatched courage, skill, and brutality. The Sergeant describes him as ‘brave Macbeth’, ‘Valor’s minion’, and a man who disdains fortune and commits ‘bloody execution’, culminating in the gruesome killing of Macdonald. Ross elevates this image further by calling him ‘Bellona’s bridegroom’, confirming that his valor is legendary and essential to the survival of Scotland. By the end of the scene, he is established as a national hero whose loyalty and peerless fighting ability have earned him the new title, and future fate, of the Thane of Cawdor. The audience’s first impression of Macbeth is one of pure, awe-inspiring, and deadly effectiveness in battle.
Questions related to the Character of Macbeth
Q1. How is Macbeth described in the scene?
Q2. How is Macbeth established as a National hero?