Promptbook-- Character Report

Macbeth – Will Macavoy

1. What does your character want in this scene?

In this scene, Macbeth is searching for answers from the three witches on his future and fortune. There are numerous factors involved in his questioning because Macbeth wants to know many things. He questions the witches, in which they responded that Macbeth shall not not be killed by a man who is woman born, told him when his death will be, and finally that Banquo’s family shall reign on after his death. Also following his discussion with the witches, he plans on killing Macduff’s family and anyone living in his household, feeling that this would benefit his purpose of holding the crown.

2. What is your character’s motivation for doing what he or she does? 

Macbeth’s motivation for his questioning is simple, for he wants to find the truth about his future and how long he will reign as king. His quest for his fortune is the top priority for him because he does not trust the people around him since some believe that he is a traiter, althought they do not know if he is.

3. What obstacles stand in his or her way?

The obstacles that stand in Macbeth’s way are minimal, although he must persuade the witches to tell him of his fate. He convinces them to show him with little difficulty, being the only thing he had to do was drink their ghastly potion. The obstacles following Macbeth’s “sights” are greater though, for his thoughts bring on horrible actions.

4. What happens when your character confronts these obstacles?

Once Macbeth confronts his obstacles, the witches show him three visions revealing his truth. Through this he succeeds in what his initial plan was, to find out his future and the many questions he has about it.

5. Are there any distinctive elements in your character’s way of speaking? (Is his or her language elaborate, plain, musical, or what?)

Macbeth’s speaking in this scene is very elaborate, being that he speaks in a padantic way focusing on every detail. He speaks like this because he is overly nervous yet also at times very excited. His questioning is also very indept because he is constantly wanting to know me about his future from the witches. Macbeth expresses a lot of emotion in this scene, projecting his dramatic personality into this key scene in the play.

6. What is your character thinking during the scene? (How does he or she react to the other characters and events?)

Macbeth is thinking only of his self during the scene, only wanting to know more and more about his fortune. He has to think through each of the apparations, because their meaning would not become fully clear to the average man. His emotional state is very spontaneous at sometimes feeling excited and frantic, yet at others he feels upset and disturbed.