Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare based loosely on the historical king Macbeth I of Scotland, in which the king is unflatteringly depicted.

The story of Shakespeare's play:

Macbeth, a general of the army of Duncan, King of Scotland, quickly rises through the ranks after a great victory over the rebel Macdonwald. In his lust for power, partly inspired by the witches' prediction that he would become king, he and his wife murder the king, and he becomes King of Scotland himself. As he grows old he becomes more evil every day (ordering the murder of Banquo and Macduff's family) , until rebels gather to overthrow him.

Actors consider this play to be 'unlucky', and usually refer to it as 'the Scottish play' rather than by name.

External Link:

• The Text of Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Films on Macbeth:

Macbeth? by Orson Welles

Macbeth? by Roman Polanski

[Throne of Blood]? by Akira Kurosawa