Macbeth: The Most Beautiful Classic Plays of Shakespeare Author: [British] William Shakespeare Publisher: Beijing United Publishing Company

Introduction · · · · · ·
Macbeth is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and one of his most popular works. It is often considered the darkest and most powerful of his tragedies. The story is set in Scotland and observes the evil of pursuing power and betrayal in a dramatic, psychological and political way. The play tells the story of the brave Scottish general Macbeth who receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become the king of Scotland one day. Out of ambition and at the instigation of his wife, Macbeth assassinates King Duncan and makes himself king. Tormented by self-blame and fantasy, he soon degenerates into a tyrant who has to protect his throne and suppress hostility and suspicion by continuously taking ruthless actions. The massacre and civil war make Macbeth and his wife arrogant and crazy, and Macbeth, who has gained power by insidious usurpation, eventually goes to destruction...