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Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

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"Macbeth" is a five-act tragedy written in verse by William Shakespeare, composed and first performed around 1606. The play depicts the story of a Scottish general, Macbeth, who encounters three witches that prophesy he will ascend to the throne. Spurred by their prophecy and encouraged by his wife, Macbeth commits a series of murders to secure and maintain kingship. The narrative explores themes of ambition, guilt, and the corrupting influence of power, culminating in Macbeth’s descent into tyranny and madness. The tragedy focuses on psychological and moral deterioration, highlighting the destructive consequences of unchecked ambition and moral compromise.

Set in Scotland and England, the play features a range of characters including nobles, soldiers, witches, and attendants. It is considered Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy and emphasizes intense internal conflict and dark atmosphere. The work draws on Scottish history and folklore, blending supernatural elements with political intrigue. Its enduring influence is rooted in its exploration of human nature's darker impulses and the consequences of moral corruption.

From the opening pages

SIWARD, Earl of Northumberland, General of the English Forces. YOUNG SIWARD, his Son. SEYTON, an Officer attending on Macbeth. BOY, Son to Macduff. An English Doctor. A Scottish Doctor. A Soldier. A Porter. An Old Man. LADY MACBETH. LADY MACDUFF. Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth. HECATE, and three Witches. Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants and Messengers. The Ghost of Banquo and several other Apparitions. SCENE: In the end of the Fourth Act, in England; through the rest of the Play, in Scotland; and chiefly at Macbeth’s Castle. Thunder and Lightning. Enter three Witches . FIRST WITCH. When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain? SECOND WITCH. When the hurlyburly’s done, When the battle’s lost and won. THIRD WITCH. That will be ere the set of sun. FIRST WITCH. Where the place? SECOND WITCH. Upon the heath. THIRD WITCH. There to meet with Macbeth. FIRST WITCH. I come, Graymalkin! SECOND WITCH. Paddock calls. THIRD WITCH. Anon. ALL. Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air. [ Exeunt. ] Alarum within. Enter King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain, Lennox, with Attendants, meeting a bleeding Captain . DUNCAN. What bloody man is that? He can report, As seemeth by his plight, of the revolt The newest state. MALCOLM. This is the sergeant Who, like a good and hardy soldier, fought ’Gainst my captivity.—Hail, brave friend! Say to the King the knowledge of the broil As thou didst leave it. SOLDIER. Doubtful it stood; As two spent swimmers that do cling together And choke their art. The merciless Macdonwald (Worthy to be a rebel, for to that The multiplying villainies of nature Do swarm upon him) from the Western Isles Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied; And Fortune, on his damned quarrel smiling, Show’d like a rebel’s whore. But all’s too weak; For brave Macbeth (well he deserves that name), Disdaining Fortune, with his brandish’d steel, Which smok’d with bloody execution, Like Valour’s minion, carv’d out his passage, Till he fac’d the slave; Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, Till he unseam’d him from the nave to the chops, And fix’d his head upon our battlements. DUNCAN. O valiant cousin! worthy gentleman! SOLDIER. As whence the sun ’gins his reflection Shipwracking storms and direful thunders break, So from that spring, whence comfort seem’d to come

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