Macbeth, one of William Shakespeares famous tragedies, is set in Scotland. Returning from battle with his companion Banquo, the nobleman, Macbeth meets with three witches. They predict that Macbeth will initially become the Thane of Cawdor and then king of Scotland. Macbeth privately has ambitions of being king and enjoys the ideas of becoming the head of the country. After the first part of the witches' prophecy comes true, early in the play, he begins to think the subsequent part may also come true. Encouraged after continuous unrest from his wife, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth murders King Duncan, while he is a guest in his castle. Macbeth then seizes the throne of Scotland. But Macbeth has no peace. Duncan's sons, Malcom and Donalbain, have escaped to England, where they seek support against Macbeth. In addition, the witches had also prophesized that Banquo's progeny would be kings of Scotland. Macbeth consequently instructs the murder of Banquo and his son, Fleance. Macbeth's men kill Banquo, but Fleance escapes under his fathers cry,O treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!Thou mayst revenge. O slave! Act 3. Scene 3. 17-18 Macbeth is now hardened to killing. He orders the murder of the wife and children of his enemy Macduff, who had fled to England after Duncan's murder (Act 2. Scene 1). Macduff then gathers an army to overthrow Macbeth. By this time, Lady Macbeth, burdened with guilt over the murders, has become a sleepwalker. She finally dies a few scenes before the play concludes. In the end, Macduff kills Macbeth in battle. Duncan's son Malcolm is then proclaimed king of Scotland. During this period of time, the characters, as well as the country of Scotland, are affected by a tragic plague of murder and guilt which runs throughout the play.In Macbeth, Shakespeare wrote a tragedy of the decline of a man's conscience. During the course of the play, Macbeth changes from a person of strong but i...
