The play 'Macbethô was written by William Shakespeare as early as 1606 and is thought to have been written for King James I who was especially afraid of Witches, who are important characters and affect many of Macbethôs decisions throughout the play.
Macbeth starts the play as a noble in the service of King Duncan I of Scotland. He starts as Thane (noble) of Glamis and soon becomes Thane of Cawdor, after putting down the rebellion in that region.
Macbeth is favourite of Duncan but murders the king after he names his son (Malcolm) as heir to the throne. Lady Macbeth looses her mind, leading to her suicide due to the many evil acts the pair have committed, the most recent being the murder of Lady Macduff and her children.
Lord Macduff has fled to England and raises an army with the help of King Duncanôs sons and the English Earl of Northumberland, Lord Siward.
Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.
Macbeth Consulting the Vision of the Armed Head. B...
English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...The English army marches on Macbethôs castle at Dunsinane where they discover that Macbethôs soldiers have fled, leaving their lord alone to face the English. Macbeth kills Siwardôs son, only to be killed himself by Macduff.
Throughout the story the Witches play a very important part. They predict that Macbeth will be given the title Thane of Cawdor as well as king. When Macbeth realises that the first prediction has come true he decides that the others will also, causing him to use any means necessary to enable this. The Witches also predict that Banquoôs (another Thane) children will become kings. Banquo is Macbethôs best friend throughout the play but he still decides to have him murdered as to stop him having any more children who may take the throne away from him.
By modern standards the language used in Macbeth is quite hard...