Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare. It was written in 1606 and published in 1623. The play is about Macbeth, a Scottish general who has murdered Duncan, the King of Scotland. He and his wife, Lady Macbeth, are haunted by three apparitions (ghosts) that predict their downfall.
The first apparition is the ghost of Banquo, which warns Macbeth that he will be overthrown by someone who is not of woman born. This refers to Banquo’s son Fleance, who escapes death when Macbeth tries to kill him along with his father. The second apparition is an armed head, which tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. This refers to the fact that Macduff kills Macbeth in battle at Dunsinane Castle at the end of the play. The third apparition is a child crowned with a tree, which predicts that Macbeth will eventually be defeated. This refers to Malcolm II (Macduff’s father), who becomes king after defeating Macbeth in battle and restoring order in Scotland once again.”
