1. Macbeth:
- Driven by Ambition: Macbeth's intense ambition for power and his desire to become the king of Scotland leads him to make irrational and self-destructive decisions. When he hears the witches' prophecy that he will be the thane of Cawdor and later king, he cannot resist the temptation to fulfill it, even if it means committing murder.
- Haunted by Guilt: After killing King Duncan, Macbeth becomes plagued by guilt and remorse. He hallucinates seeing Banquo's ghost and becomes paranoid and fearful. This guilt-ridden state significantly impacts his behavior, making him more erratic and unstable.
2. Lady Macbeth:
- Ambitious and Ruthless: Initially, Lady Macbeth acts as the driving force behind Macbeth's actions. She encourages him to pursue the prophecies and go to any lengths to secure the throne. Her ambitious nature and ruthless determination influence Macbeth to commit the heinous crime of murdering Duncan.
- Breakdown: As the play progresses, Lady Macbeth becomes increasingly tormented by guilt and anxiety. She hallucinates washing her hands in an attempt to remove the metaphorical blood from her conscience, and her mental state eventually leads to her downfall.
3. Banquo:
- Suspicious but Cautious: Banquo is suspicious of the witches' prophecies and senses danger in Macbeth's newfound ambition. He remains cautious and loyal to King Duncan, but his knowledge of the witches' predictions creates an underlying tension between him and Macbeth.
- Loyalty and Honor: Banquo values loyalty and honor above personal gain. Despite the temptation of the witches' prophecy that his descendants will be kings, he refuses to betray Duncan or resort to underhanded tactics to achieve power.
4. King Duncan:
- Trusting and Benevolent: King Duncan is portrayed as a kind, benevolent, and trusting ruler. He holds Macbeth in high regard and rewards him for his loyalty. His unsuspecting nature makes him vulnerable to Macbeth's betrayal and allows the murder plot to succeed.
5. The Witches:
- Manipulative and Ambiguous: The witches play a crucial role in shaping the characters' actions and the play's events. They manipulate Macbeth and Banquo with their ambiguous prophecies, fueling their desires and insecurities. Their presence introduces an element of supernatural influence that drives the plot forward.
In conclusion, the characters in Act 2, Scene 2 of Macbeth are influenced by their ambitions, fears, guilt, and the prophecies of the witches. Their individual motivations and interactions contribute to the play's central themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of immoral actions.