Macbeth  (English, Paperback, Shakespeare William)

Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare.

Summary of the Book

A brave general in the service of King Duncan of Scotland is enticed by the flattering prophecy given to him by three witches. Macbeth, the general, falls to the witches’ ploy and gives in to his narcissism and ambition. He begins to believe that he will one day become the rightful King of Scotland. His ambitious wife fuels his foolish beliefs and encourages Macbeth to act upon them. Betraying his liege, Macbeth kills King Duncan and seizes the throne. However, he has no chance to enjoy his rule. He is seized by paranoia and guilt, becoming a tyrant who kills people. His madness leads to a civil war and begins the fall of his prophesied rule. Considered to be Shakespeare’s darkest play, this story is loosely based on the lives of King Macbeth of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan, adapting their story from Holinshed's Chronicles, a historical work Shakespeare would have known well.

About William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare was an English playwright and poet. Popularly called “The Bard of Avon”, he is largely considered one of the greatest writers in English history. Among his most famous plays are Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The above play is the subject of much superstition and is often called “The Scottish Play” or “MacBee” to avoid its alleged curse.

Macbeth has been adapted into several films. An upcoming adaptation by Justin Kurzel is currently filming and is due for release in 2015. It stars Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard, Sean Harris, Paddy Considine, Elizabeth Debicki and David Thewlis.