Macbeth (character)
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Macbeth is the title character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). The character is based on the historical king Macbeth of Scotland, and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of Britain. Macbeth is a Scottish noble and a valiant military man. He is portrayed throughout the play as an antagonistic anti-hero. At the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he commits regicide and becomes King of Scotland. He thereafter lives in anxiety and fear, unable to rest or to trust his nobles. He leads a reign of terror until defeated by Macduff and the throne is restored to the righful heir, the former King Duncan's son Malcolm.