Prophecies, , over-ups, es, betrayal, war, and treason, make the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, arguably one of the greatest plays ever written. The play follows the main character, Macbeth, from greatness to misfortune and tragedy, as his greed and for power corrupt him. Macbeth at the beginning of the play is a successful and loyal general of the Scottish army. As the play progresses, Macbeth begins to become corrupted by the es, his wife, and his own personal desire for gain. After Macbeth becomes king, an endless struggle begins as Macbeth begins to do whatever it takes just to stay in power and hold onto his position as king. Despite all of Macbeth's efforts it becomes apparent that Macbeth cannot hold out forever and eventually his reign is ended. Just as Macbeth begins his rise to power fighting for his country, he dies on the battleground trying to hold on to his position on the throne.
As the play opens, the scene is a battlefield. A vicious and ruthless battle has been fought and the war is over. King Duncan enters and demands to know what has happened. A sergeant responds, "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name-/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/. Like valor's minion carved out his passage." (1.2.16-19) At this point in the play Macbeth is the Thane of Glamis, which makes Macbeth the third most powerful man in Scotland behind the Thane of Cawdor and the King. He is seen as a noble warrior who fights bravely for his country. King Duncan shares this opinion. "Oh, valiant Cousin! Worthy gentleman!" (1.2.24) Duncan is so impressed with Macbeth that he awards Macbeth with the title, Thane of Cawdor, after the former Thane is discovered to be a traitor to the king. Unfortunately for Duncan, Macbeth has already began to travel toward home and the king cannot award him with his new title. As a result Duncan sends Ross to inform Macbeth of his promotion.
