Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Spurred by a prophecy and his wife's ambition a Scottish general murders his King to take the throne. His reign becomes a bloodbath of paranoia and tyranny as he attempts to secure his power against inevitable fate. The Scottish Play is a chilling study of the psychological effects of guilt and the corrupting nature of unchecked political ambition. It is famous for its supernatural elements and its dark brooding atmosphere.
Macbeth: A brave soldier whose moral compass is destroyed by ambition and a descent into murderous paranoia. Lady Macbeth: A powerful and ambitious woman who eventually collapses under the weight of her own guilt. The Three Witches: Supernatural beings whose prophecies act as the catalyst for Macbeth’s tragic downfall.
First Performance: 1606, at Globe Theatre, London
Performed for King James I; tailored to his interests in witchcraft and Scottish history.
Original Actors: Richard Burbage