The Oxford Dictionary of Plays

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Macbeth

Macbeth (The Tragedie of Macbeth)

Author: William Shakespeare

First Performance: c.1602–6, London

Published: 1623

Genre: Trag. in 5 acts; blank verse and prose

Setting: Scotland and England, 1040–57

Cast: 21m, 8f, extras

The Scottish king Duncan grants Macbeth the title Thane of Cawdor in honour of his bravery in helping to repel a foreign invasion. Macbeth learns of this new title from three witches who meet him and his companion Banquo after the battle. The witches also foretell that Macbeth shall become king and that Banquo's sons shall be kings. When Lady Macbeth hears of this prophecy, she urges her husband to murder Duncan while he is sleeping at their castle. Macbeth carries out the deed, and blame falls on Duncan's sons, who flee from Scotland. Macbeth is elected king, but, unable to trust...

[The entire page is 439 words long]

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