a. Duncan and/or Malcolm versus Macbeth as king
IV.i.150-153: demonstrates Macbeth’s paranoia as king and how he’s letting power
control him; shows how he’s a tyrant
V.v.17-18: shows how power has taken away emotions; he shows no care for the
death of his wife
III.i.141-142: power corrupts Macbeth: he wants to kill his friend for suspecting
him; he might have played “foully”
IV.iii.76-84: Malcolm says he’ll be different as a king vs. Macbeth;
IV.iii.91-99: Other things he would do different; what kind of ruler he would be
V.iv.1-2: Malcolm says he hopes people will be safe inside their own homes while he
is king
V.viii.60-75: Malcolm says he’ll bestow the new title of earl upon those who were
loyal to him
I.iv.11-14: Duncan says he bases his trust on people’s faces (naïve)
I.vi.11-14: He tells Macbeth that he appreciates his hospitality
II.i.13-16: Banquo tells Macbeth that Duncan has come with gifts for his servants
and a diamond for Lady Macbeth; this shows his generosity
b. Macbeth versus Banquo in their reactions to the witches’ behaviors and
prophecies
I.iii.50-51 Banquo is asking Macbeth why he is afraid of the witches’ prophecies.
This shows Macbeth is initially shocked.
I.iii.50-61: Banquo tells the witches that Macbeth was afraid but he’s not afraid of
them and he asks them to tell him about his future.
I.iii.70-78: After getting over shock, Macbeth asks the witches for clarification about
how he will be Thane of Cawdor if the thane is still alive.
I.iii.83-85: Banquo doubts the witches
I.iii.117-118: Macbeth has been named Thane of Cawdor and can see himself as king
c. Macbeth versus Macduff in their attitudes to the other’s wife
II.iii.84-87: Macduff is telling Lady Macbeth that the news of the king’s death is too
much for her to bear; he is respectful and acts as a typical man of his time
II.iii.119: Macduff is concerned that Lady Macbeth needs help
IV.1.150-154: Macbeth is killing Lady Macduff and their children. Shows he has no
concern for anyone else; he’s just doing it because he can.
d. Lady Macbeth versus Lady Macduff in their attitudes about their abilities and
independence
I.vii.47-59: Lady Macbeth says she’s capable of smashing an infant’s head in. Lady
Macduff is more of a typical maternal figure.
II.i.10-13: Lady Macbeth says she couldn’t go through with killing Duncan; this
shows that she’s weaker than she said.
V.i.27: Lady Macbeth says that her hands will never be clean; she acknowledges all
the deaths
IV.ii.75-77: Lady Macduff is expecting her husband to take care of her and family;
she’s not acting like Lady Macbeth who takes matters into her own hands.