Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, who was born in 1564 and died in 1616. It is based on the medieval legend of King Macbeth of Scotland, who was murdered by his wife. The play is set in Scotland in 10th century and it has a powerful sense of place, with vivid descriptions of nature and landscape.
The play tells the story of Macbeth’s rise to power through murder and betrayal, followed by his downfall as he attempts to avoid punishment for his crimes. Macbeth places particular emphasis on themes such as ambition, greed, guilt, conscience and remorse.
The kingship is presented as a corrupt and power-hungry institution in Macbeth. The play suggests that those who seek power are often driven by ambition and a desire for control, which can lead to disastrous consequences.
The King is presented as a protector of the people. This is seen through the way that Macbeth expresses his desire for power over others: “If chance will have me king, why then an easy life and fairly won.” It shows how much power he wants over others, but it also shows how much protection he wants from other people and their crimes against him and his family.
Also, the King is seen as a source of strength; this can be seen when Macbeth tells Banquo that he will not let anyone harm him or his children because he has no fears about their safety.
