Macbeth

Riding home from battle, Macbeth is told by three mysterious witches that his future holds great things-he will be king. When Lady Macbeth hears the news, she prays for the spirits of evil to infect her heart so she will have the courage to kill King Duncan and assure the prophecy's carrying out. After the awful deed's been done, Macbeth goes mad, although he is also granted the title `King.' Evil and madness soon holds sway over both Macbeth and his lady's will, and the kingdom falls apart. The play chronicles Macbeth's seizing the Scottish throne and his subsequent downfall, both aspects the result of blind ambition.