Macbeth story
Macbeth (/məkˈbɛθ/; full title The Tragedy of 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 for its own sake. Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I, who was patron of Shakespeare's acting company, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright's relationship with his sovereign. It was first published in the Folio of 1623, possibly from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy.
21 total · 3 choice · 11 major · 7 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| betrayal | choice | the Macbeth's murdered their liege lord King Duncan to usurp his position |
| the dangers of unchecked ambition | choice | the Macbeths' power hunger lead to bloody battles and piles of corpses |
| the lust for power | choice | especially Lady Macbeth lusted after more power |
| civil war | major | other nobles rose up against Macbeth and eventually defeated him in battle |
| destiny | major | Three hags foretold that Macbeth would, among other things, rise to become king of Scotland, only to be vanquished at such time when "Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane shall come". Emboldened by the revelations, Macbeth seized the crown through assassination, but, despite his best efforts, he was unable to escape his ultimate downfall as foretold. |
| husband and wife | major | Lord and Lady Macbeth |
| loyalty to a friend | major | Macbeth arranged to murder his closest friend and ally, Banquo |
| loyalty to a leader | major | the Macbeth's to their liege lord King Duncan |
| regicide | major | The Macbeth's killed their liege lord King Duncan. |
| remorse | major | Lady Macbeth became so racked with guilt over the murders that she came to think her hands were permanently stained with blood, and she finally killed herself. Both Macbeth's were racked with guilt-related emotions after having slaughtered the King and his retinue - though possibly they were more fearful of being found out. |