Macbeth

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1606 and 1607. It dramatizes the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake.

Plot

The play begins with the brief appearance of a trio of witches and then moves to a military camp, where the Scottish King Duncan hears the news that his generals, Macbeth and Banquo, have defeated two separate invading armies—one from Ireland, led by the rebel Macdonwald, and one from Norway.

Characters

The main characters in Macbeth are:

• Macbeth: The play's tragic hero, a Scottish general who is driven by a prophecy from three witches that he will become King of Scotland.
• Lady Macbeth: Macbeth's wife, a deeply ambitious woman who lusts for power and position.
• King Duncan: The good King of Scotland whom Macbeth, in his ambition for the throne, murders.
• Banquo: The brave, noble general whose children, according to the witches' prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne.

Themes

The main themes in Macbeth are:

• Ambition: The play is about the dangers of unchecked ambition. Macbeth’s ambition to be king leads him to murder King Duncan.
• Fate and free will: The witches' prophecy sets the course of the story, and Macbeth sees the prophecy as preordained fate.
• Guilt and remorse: After the murder, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel deep guilt and remorse, which eventually drives them to their deaths.

Reception and Legacy

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most popular and frequently performed plays. It has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, opera, and other media.

See also

• Shakespearean tragedy
• William Shakespeare's works
• English Renaissance theatre