The Ultimate Tragedy of Macbeth Quiz

Answer:

"The Tragedie of Macbeth" by the amazing William Shakespeare, is usually referred to in a more modern age simply as "Macbeth". It was first performed, scholars believe, in 1606, and, who knows, the Bard of Avon may have acted in the play himself. As with all of Shakespeare's great tragedies, the story revolves around a great man who is brought to a tragic end, his reputation completely destroyed, all around him lost, by one overwhelming character fault.

In the case of Macbeth, a once fine and brave army General, an outstanding leader of men, his fault is his overwhelming ambition. Given spur by his foolishness in believing the prophecy of three devious witches, and egged on by his truly ghastly wife - he sets that ambition loose to do its deadly work. And so the tragedy begins.

At the conclusion of this play, when Macbeth has lost everything as a result of the choices and actions he has made, and with his world in shatters around him, he stands, ready to go to his final battle, knowing he will surely lose, but just briefly, oh so briefly, returning to the fine and brave soldier he once was. This is where, filled with the utter futility of his life, he delivers the above soliloquoy. The unbearable loss and sorrow of his words are heartbreaking. I first read this as a High School student, seething with rebellion at having to read dusty old Shakespeare, his plays and his obscure poetry at all - and it exploded in my mind, and in my heart, bringing tears to my eyes. I have loved the works of this incredible writer ever since.