Macbeth

= = =**__MACBETH__**=

[|Macbeth] is a tragedy which would be remembered as the cursed Scottish play. It was the first play Shakespeare wrote for King James after the death of Queen Elizabeth. Shakespeare altered his style, hoping it would please the King. He made it shorter, and included witchcraft since King James himself has once written a book on witchcraft. Also, Shakespeare included the character Banquo, who was James's ancestor. This play is the last of Shakespeares great tragedies, which include King //Lear, Hamlet// and //Othello. Macbeth// is believed to be Shakespeare's darkest work. The play concerns itself with Macbeth's rise to power which in includes the murder of the Scottish King, Duncan.

__Summary__
The play is set in Scotland. It begins with Macbeth and Banquo returning from a battle they have just won. The two encounter the famous three witches who are chanting. They call Macbeth thane of Glamis, thane of Cawdor and king hereafter. They reveal to Banquo he will not be king but his songs will be. After their encounter with the witches a royal messanger arrives with a message for Macbeth. He tells him he has been appointed thane of Cawdor. Macbeth begins to see the prophecy unfolding.

When Lady Macbeth hears of the prophecy she encourages Macbeth to murder the king. She insists it must be done that very night. Lady Macbeth plans the entire thing, she even comes up with a plot to frame the guards. Macbeth stabs the king, though he felt he should not. He is deeply troubled afterward. But as planned, the next morning the murder is blamed on the guards. Macbeth kills them, explaining his actions as an expression of his rage. The king's sons flee for thier lives and Macbeth is crowned king. Banquo obviously suspects him, but when Macbeth hears that Banquo is out riding with his sons he sends men out to kill them. Banquo's sons escape, though his is murdered. Later, Banquo's ghost appears to Macbeth.

Macbeth learns later of a plot, by the King Duncan's son Malcolm and Lord Macduff, to kill him. Macbeth visits the three witches again who have come up with a plot to destroy him as well. Meanwhile, Lady Macbeth has begun sleepwalking because of her guilt. She talks about her crimes in her sleep, viewed by her doctor and waiting woman. She dies in the play, probably from suicide. Macduff returns with invaders from England. Macbeth is not worried when he faces Macduff because the witches have told him that he will not be killed by one "woman born". But Macduff tells him he was "from his mother's womb untimely ripped'd." In other words, she had a C-section. Macbeth realizes he has been tricked but it is too late. Macduff kills Macbeth and King Duncan's son becomes the new king of Scotland.

__Dramatis Personae__
Duncan; King of Scotland Malcolm & Donalbain; his sons Macbeth & Banquo; gnerals of the king's army Macduff, Lennox, Ross, Menteith, Angue & Caithness; noblemen of Scotland Fleance; son to Banquo Siward; Earl of Nothumberland, general of the English forces Young Siward; his son Seyton; an officer attending on Macbeth Lady Macbeth; wife to Macbeth Lady Macduff; wife to Macduff Hecate Three Witches Apparitions Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murders, Attendants & Messengers

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