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Revision as of 13:02, 21 September 2002
Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare based loosely on the historical king Macbeth I of Scotland, in which the king is unflatteringly depicted.
The story of Shakespeare's play:
- Macbeth, a general of the army of Duncan, King of Scotland, quickly rises through the ranks after a great victory over the rebel Macdonwald. In his lust for power, partly inspired by the witches' prediction that he would become king, he and his wife murder the king, and he becomes King of Scotland himself. He becomes more evil every day (ordering the murder of Banquo and Macduff's family)
- Urged on by Macbeth, the witches conjure spirits which tell him that he wouldn't be "vanquish'd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come" and that "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth," but also to "fear Macduff." Macduff leads an army camouflaged by boughs from Birnam wood to Dunsinane, where in a battle with Macbeth he reveals that he was ripped from his mother's body (ie, by Caesarian section) and therefore is not "of woman born."
- Macduff vanquishes Macbeth and takes the throne.
Lady Macbeth is one of the most challenging roles in Western theater for women. She is driven mad for her part in the king's murder and dies off stage in the final act.
Actors consider this play to be 'unlucky', and usually refer to it as 'the Scottish play' rather than by name.
External Link:
Films on Macbeth: