Macbeth

Macbeth is a play made in the Renaissance period, which is also known as the era of the Early Modern. The play has been very famous, especially since it has been a requirement of schools in America to study. It was written by William Shakespeare, who also wrote Romeo and Juliet. Like all plays made by Shakespeare, it was derived from the facts of history. The story of Macbeth was based on James I, who symbolized the union of the Scottish and English crowns, a union in which Shakespeare added in his play. Since the king also had an interest in witchcraft, Shakespeare may have tried to win his favor by adding the three witches in his story.

The play opens with the brief appearance of three witches then shifts to a military camp, where Scottish King Duncan hears the news about the victory of his two generals, Macbeth and Banquo. While the two generals were walking, they meet three witches, who gave prophesies to both Macbeth and Banquo. Macbeth was prophesied to be the next king of Scotland while Banquo will beget a line of Scottish kings, though Banquo will never be king himself. Then starts the story of Macbeth killing his own king, King Duncan, and becoming paranoid of losing his throne after being crowned king. He becomes a murderer until finally, a man from Banquo’s line ends his misery.  

Did you know? 

It was believed that kings were chosen by God. This idea was known as the Divine Right of Kings. Kings could do anything they liked and couldn’t be challenged because they were more important than ordinary men and second only to God. Killing a king was a terrible sin. In the play, Macbeth knows this.