Macbeth is the title character in William Shakespeare's great tragedy, Macbeth. The original Macbeth was referred to in Rapheal Holinshed's Chronicles, from which Shakespeare also based the plots of King Lear and Cymbeline. His appearance here is based on Orson Welles' portrayal in the expressionistic 1948 film adaptation.
In the play, Macbeth is a respected thane and warrior in the service of King Duncan of Scotland. Returning from a battle with Norwegian invaders, Macbeth is met by three witches who prophesy that he will become king. Telling this news to his wife, she urges him to kill Duncan. Hesitantly, he does so and gains the crown. His murder leads him down a slippery slope, instigating a reign of terror in Scotland. But as Macbeth grows callous, Lady Macbeth descends into madness, wracked with guilt over their regicide. Lady Macbeth eventually kills herself out of madness, and Macbeth's castle is taken by a rebel army led by his rival Macduff. They fight and Macbeth is slain, his head taken before the rebel army.
To this day, there's a superstition amongst the theatrical community that the play is cursed. Many actors refer to it as "The Scottish Play" in order to lessen the stigma. Why a similar superstition hasn't arisen over "Seussical the Musical" is beyond me.
EDIT: Oct 15, added an updated version with a new crown.
In the play, Macbeth is a respected thane and warrior in the service of King Duncan of Scotland. Returning from a battle with Norwegian invaders, Macbeth is met by three witches who prophesy that he will become king. Telling this news to his wife, she urges him to kill Duncan. Hesitantly, he does so and gains the crown. His murder leads him down a slippery slope, instigating a reign of terror in Scotland. But as Macbeth grows callous, Lady Macbeth descends into madness, wracked with guilt over their regicide. Lady Macbeth eventually kills herself out of madness, and Macbeth's castle is taken by a rebel army led by his rival Macduff. They fight and Macbeth is slain, his head taken before the rebel army.
To this day, there's a superstition amongst the theatrical community that the play is cursed. Many actors refer to it as "The Scottish Play" in order to lessen the stigma. Why a similar superstition hasn't arisen over "Seussical the Musical" is beyond me.
EDIT: Oct 15, added an updated version with a new crown.
