First published 1623
Macbeth encounters three witches on a heath who prophesy he will become king of Scotland. Their words plant a seed that grows into murderous ambition. Lady Macbeth pushes her husband to kill King Duncan while he sleeps as their guest. Macbeth commits the deed but finds no peace in his stolen crown. He orders more killings to secure his throne, including his friend Banquo and Macduff's family. Guilt drives Lady Macbeth to madness and suicide. Duncan's son Malcolm raises an army in England while Macduff seeks revenge for his murdered wife and children. The witches give Macbeth false confidence with new prophecies, but their riddles prove his undoing. Macduff kills the tyrant in battle, and Malcolm reclaims his father's throne. The play explores how unchecked ambition destroys both the soul and the state.
Genres: drama, classic-literature, historical-fiction, tragedy
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Scotland
Period: Medieval
144 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books
Content warnings: murder, suicide, violence