Macbeth

Macbeth is the titular protagonist in William Shakespeare's Macbeth (c. 1603-1607). The character is based on the historical king Macbeth of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain. Macbeth is a Scottish noble and a valiant military man. At the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he commits regicide and becomes King of Scotland. He thereafter lives in anxiety and fear, unable to rest ... more

Macbeth is the titular protagonist in William Shakespeare's Macbeth (c. 1603-1607). The character is based on the historical king Macbeth of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain. Macbeth is a Scottish noble and a valiant military man. At the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he commits regicide and becomes King of Scotland. He thereafter lives in anxiety and fear, unable to rest or to trust his nobles. He leads a reign of terror until defeated by the rightful heir to the throne in the final act. Shakespeare's version of Macbeth is based upon Macbeth of Scotland, as found in the narratives of the Kings Duff and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587). Macbeth is Thane of Glamis, later Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland. He is the central protagonist of the play. The tragedy begins amid a bloody civil war where Macbeth is first introduced by a wounded soldier, who gives a colourful and extensive exaltation of... less