Macbeth (character)

Macbeth
Macbeth character
Orson Welles (Macbeth) and Jeanette Nolan (Lady Macbeth) in Welles's 1948 film adaptation of the play, Macbeth.
Created by	William Shakespeare
Based on	Macbeth, King of Scotland
In-universe information
Affiliation	Initially loyal to King Duncan
Spouse	Lady Macbeth
Religion	Christian

Lord Macbeth, the Thane of Glamis and quickly the Thane of Cawdor, is the title character and main protagonist in William Shakespeare's Macbeth (c. 1603–1607). The character is loosely based on the historical king Macbeth of Scotland and is derived largely from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles (1577), a compilation of British history.

A Scottish noble and an initially valiant military man, Macbeth, after a supernatural prophecy and the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, commits regicide, usurping the kingship 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 his former ally Macduff. The throne is then restored to the rightful heir, the murdered King Duncan's son, Malcolm.