Macbeth (Magill Book Reviews)
At a glance:
- Author: William Shakespeare
- First Published: 1623
- Type of Work: Jacobean Tragedy
- Genres: Drama, Tragedy
- Subjects: Folkloric or magical people, Murder or homicide, Guilt, Good and evil, Loyalty, Assassins, hit men, or contract killers, Ambition, Witches or witchcraft, Scotland or Scottish people, Middle Ages, Eleventh century
- Locales: Scotland
MACBETH opens after the victory of Macbeth and Banquo, two Scottish generals, over rebels against the crown. Three witches appear and greet Banquo as the ancestor of kings and Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor and “king hereafter.”
Emboldened by these prophecies and urged on by his wife, Macbeth murders Duncan, his king and kinsman, while Duncan is a guest in his home. After Macbeth is proclaimed king, he decides to forestall the prophecy of the witches by murdering Banquo’s family. Haunted by Banquo’s ghost, Macbeth awakens the suspicions of Macduff, who flees the country.
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- Macbeth (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
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- Macbeth (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
- Macbeth (Cyclopedia of Literary Places)
See Also:
William Shakespeare (Censorship--Ready Reference series)William Shakespeare (Cyclopedia of World Authors)William Shakespeare: The Poet (Poetry)William Shakespeare: The Dramatist (Magill’s Choice: Shakespeare)William Shakespeare: The Man (Magill’s Choice: Shakespeare)
See Also:
- - For teachers, the Macbeth Lesson Plan.
- - Read the Macbeth text online.
- - Macbeth summary and study guide in the eNotes.
- Add Macbeth to your favorites