Macbeth, often called The Tragedy of Macbeth, is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous plays. First performed around 1606, it explores how the pursuit of power can lead to both brutal violence and deep psychological torment. The play was first published in the 1623 First Folio, likely taken from a prompt book, and is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy. Written during the reign of King James I, it contains more references to James than any of Shakespeare’s other works, reflecting his role as patro