MacBeth

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, likely written around 1606 and first performed by the King's Men at the Globe Theatre. It is based in part on Holinshed's Chronicles, though its historical accuracy and treatment of events are debated. The play was first published in the 1623 First Folio.

The plot follows Macbeth, a Scottish general, and his wife as they murder King Duncan to seize the throne after the witches' prophecies. Macbeth becomes king but his fear and ambition drive further killings, including Banquo and Macduff's family. He is eventually slain by Macduff, and Malcolm becomes king.

The drama uses supernatural elements—the three witches and their prophecies—to drive action and symbolize Macbeth's moral decline. It is written in a mix of blank verse and prose, with notable soliloquies such as "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow." The setting is largely Scotland and focuses on the consequences of political crime on the realm.

Macbeth remains a central work in the study of tragedy and Shakespearean language. It continues to be widely performed and adapted across theatre, film, and literature, and it is frequently analyzed for themes of ambition, power, fate versus free will, and guilt.