Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606.
It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, Macbeth most clearly reflects his relationship with King James, patron of Shakespeare's acting company.
It was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.
Synopsis:
After performing brave exploits in the service of King Duncan, the victorious Scottish generals Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches on a barren heath. They hail the men with chilling prophecies in riddle form: now Thane of Glamis, Macbeth shall be Thane of Cawdor and finally king; Banquo shall be father to kings though never king himself. Hearing of the prophecies and their uncanny partial fulfillment, Lady Macbeth resolves to break down her husband’s resistance to evil. She at last urges him to act on their mutual ambitions by murdering King Duncan while he is a guest in their castle.
Plagued by conscience and fear of judgment, Macbeth nonetheless commits the murder and also kills Duncan’s grooms, accusing them of the bloody deed. Duncan’s sons, fearing for their own lives, decide to flee. Thus Macbeth becomes king.
Resenting the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s offspring will be kings, Macbeth has Banquo murdered, but his son Fleance escapes. After Banquo’s ghost appears at a state banquet, Macbeth, tortured by guilt and virtually mentally deranged, returns to the witches for solace.
With riddling prophecies and a show of apparitions, the witches deliver to him both promises and warnings. Ignorant of the equivocal nature of their words, Macbeth is convinced that hereafter his hand may freely perform what his mind purposes, however black the deed may be. Thus he hires the murder of Macduff’s wife and all his children while the noble thane Macduff is in England, where he goes to persuade the exiled Malcolm to join forces with him against Macbeth. The guilt-ridden Lady Macbeth sleepwalks and finally commits suicide.
One by one the witches’ prophecies become ominously true as Scottish and English forces attack Macbeth’s castle. Macduff at last slays Macbeth, and Malcolm is crowned king of Scotland.
Stage direction by Ron Pyle
Set and costume design by Jeffrey Stegall
Lighting design by Richard Streeter
Film Version:
1979 videotaped version of Trevor Nunn's Royal Shakespeare Company production of the play by William Shakespeare.
Produced by Thames Television, it features Ian McKellen as Macbeth and Judi Dench as Lady Macbeth. The TV version was directed by Philip Casson.
Cast:
Ian McKellen as Macbeth
Judi Dench as Lady Macbeth
John Bown as Lennox
Susan Dury as 3rd Witch / Lady Macduff
Judith Harte as 2nd Witch / Gentlewoman
Greg Hicks as Donalbain / Seyton
David Howey as Sergeant / 1st Murderer / Doctor
Griffith Jones as Duncan
Marie Kean as 1st Witch
Ian McDiarmid as The Porter / Ross
Bob Peck as Macduff
Duncan Preston as Angus
Roger Rees as Malcolm
Zak Taylor as Fleance / Messenger
Stephen Warner as Young Macduff
John Woodvine as Banquo
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