Shakespeare’s Macbeth - Greed for power ends in tragedy
William Shakespeare’s Macbeth begins with three witches in Scotland who decide to meet again after seeing a battle that was being fought nearby. The scene is set with a gloomy picture and imagery of the nature of war is portrayed throughout the play.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth along with his companion Banquo, defeat Thane of Cawdor, Macdonwald and The King of Norway in battle for King Duncan. Being pleased with him, King Duncan decides to make Macbeth his new Thane of Cawdor since the previous Thane of Cawdor will be executed.
The Three Witches establish their evil plot before meeting Shakespeare’s Macbeth and his companion to tell him that he will be “Thane of Glamis!”, “Thane of Cawdor!” and “king hereafter” or become the King of Scotland. Banquo, being suspicious of the Three Witches, remembering that they often trick men.
Banquo then learns from them that his descendants shall be kings. Shakespeare’s Macbeth questions Banquo on his feelings about his descendants becoming kings and then starts thinking of killing King Duncan to make prophecy fact.
When Shakespeare’s Macbeth visits with King Duncan, he thanks him for his new title as they dine together at his castle, Inverness that evening. King Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm will be the new Prince of Cumberland. He now begins to see Malcolm as a threat to his destiny to be king. He writes to Lady Macbeth, telling her all that has happened. She desires the kingship for him and wants him to murder Duncan in order to obtain it. When Macbeth arrives at Inverness, she tried to convince him to kill the king that night. He and Lady Macbeth plan to get Duncan’s two chamberlains drunk so they will black out so they will be able blame the murder on the chamberlains. While Duncan is asleep, Shakespeare’s Macbeth stabs him. When Duncan’s death is discovered the next morning, he also kills the chamberlains and then assumes the kingship. Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donalbain flee to England and Ireland, respectively, fearing that whoever killed Duncan may seek their demise also.
Fearful of the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s heirs will seize his throne, Macbeth hires a group of murderers to kill Banquo and his son Fleance. They attack and kill Banquo, but Fleance flees into the night. Shakespeare’s Macbeth fears as long Fleance is alive, he fears his power will be threatened. At the feast that night, Banquo’s ghost pays a visit to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. When he sees the ghost, his outbursts startle his guests, who include most of the great Scottish nobility. When they begin to question his sanity and object to his kingship Shakespeare’s Macbeth runs to the witches in their cavern. There, they show him that he must beware of Macduff, a Scottish nobleman who opposed Shakespeare’s Macbeth accession to the throne. They tell him he is incapable of being harmed by any man born of woman but he will be safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Castle. When he learns that Macduff has fled to England to join Malcolm, Shakespeare’s Macbeth orders that Macduff’s castle be seized and that Lady Macduff and her children are to be murdered.
When word of his family’s execution reaches Macduff in England, he vows to avenge their deaths. Prince Malcolm, Duncan’s son, has succeeded in raising an army in England, and Macduff joins him as he rides to Scotland to challenge the forces of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
Meanwhile, his wife becomes plagued with fits of sleepwalking and claims she has bloodstains on her hands. Before his opponents arrive, Shakespeare’s Macbeth receives word that she has killed herself, causing him to sink into a deep depression. As he waits for the English army he secures Dunsinane castle, to which he seems to have withdrawn in order to defend himself.
In the battle, he fights to defend himself, but the English forces put an end to his army. Although he realizes he is unable to win, he continues to fight until Macduff kills and beheads him. Malcolm, now the king of Scotland, declares his intentions for the country and invites all to see him crowned.
For more information on Shakespearean tragedies and related free offers, search online and click on the links provided.