DRAMA · TRAGEDY · c. 1606
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
A celebrated soldier hears that he will become king. His decision to force that future into being transforms ambition into murder, power into fear, and victory into isolation.
About Macbeth
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies. Set in medieval Scotland, it follows a respected warrior whose encounter with three witches awakens a dangerous ambition. Encouraged by Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan and takes the crown, but guilt, fear and suspicion soon turn his victory into a nightmare.
Through Macbeth’s rise and fall, the play explores ambition, conscience, fate, violence, kingship and the corrupting effects of power. Its tense action, memorable supernatural scenes and rich poetic language have made it one of the most widely read and performed plays in English literature.
Text and credits
Reading text: William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Project Gutenberg ebook 1533. The play is public domain. The overview, summary and study material on this page are original Open English Literature Library content.