The Tragedy of Macbeth 8.0

William Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Macbeth

Virtual Entertainment, 2014

Series: World Classic Books

"The Tragedy of Macbeth," recognized as one of William Shakespeare's most enduring works, stands out not only for its popularity but also for its brevity as his shortest tragedy. The play is frequently staged in both professional and community theatres across the globe. It is widely regarded as an archetypal narrative that explores the perils associated with the insatiable quest for power and the treachery that often accompanies betrayal among friends. The play draws inspiration from the historical figure of King Macbeth of Scotland, as recounted by the Scottish philosopher Hector Boece. Notably, Boece's account was designed to flatter his patron, King James VI of Scotland—who later became King James I of England—while casting a negative light on the historical Macbeth, complicating the legacy of this Scottish monarch.

— Excerpted from "Macbeth" on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.