Macbeth Summary

William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is a tragedy that examines the destructive nature of ambition and power. The play follows Macbeth, a Scottish general who encounters three witches on his way home from a victorious battle. They prophesy that he will become king, spurring Macbeth and his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, to murder King Duncan and seize the throne. Consumed by guilt and paranoia, Macbeth becomes a tyrannical ruler, committing further atrocities to secure his power, including the murder of his friend Banquo and the massacre of Macduff's family. Haunted by visions and Lady Macbeth's descent into madness, Macbeth faces rebellion led by Macduff and Malcolm, Duncan's son. The play concludes with Macbeth's death in a duel with Macduff and Malcolm's restoration as the rightful king. "Macbeth" is celebrated for its intense exploration of ambition, guilt, and moral decay, with powerful soliloquies and dramatic imagery that underscore the psychological turmoil of its characters.