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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Macbeth
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(c.1606)
Tragedy by *Shakespeare about *Macbeth, a historical figure of the 11C. Three witches, whom he encounters on a heath, prophesy that he will be king of Scotland. With this encouragement, and egged on by his ruthless wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders in his bed the present king, *Duncan, who is a guest in his castle. The moment of discovery of the deed is postponed by a comic scene in which the drunken Porter delays opening the castle gate with his repeated complaint of 'Knock, knock, knock'. The drama then becomes a crescendo of fear, as Macbeth kills anyone who might endanger his throne (Banquo, and the family of Macduff); and of guilt, which drives Lady Macbeth mad. In the sleepwalking scene she reveals her obsession with blood on her hands: 'Out, damned spot!'.
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Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow; a poor player,
That struts and frets his life upon the stage,
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.
There is a long-standing theatrical superstition that Macbeth brings bad luck, even in the mention of the name, with the result that it has traditionally been referred to in the profession as 'the Scottish play'.
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