William Shakespeare · 1606 · overland

Shakespeare's tragedy of ambition, mapped across eleventh-century Scotland. Returning victorious past Forres, the general Macbeth meets three witches who prophesy a crown; spurred by his wife, he murders King Duncan at Inverness and is made king at Scone. Tyranny and paranoia follow, until the armies gather at Birnam Wood and march on his fortress at Dunsinane to fulfill the prophecy and end him.

1. 1
   Forres

   On the blasted heath near Forres the three witches hail Macbeth with a prophecy of crowns to come.

2. 2
   Inverness

   At his castle at Inverness, spurred on by his wife, Macbeth murders the sleeping King Duncan and seizes the throne.

3. 3
   Scone

   Crowned at Scone, the ancient seat of Scottish kings, Macbeth begins a reign steeped in blood and fear.

4. 4
   Fife

   To Fife his murderers ride, cutting down Macduff's wife and children while the thane is away in England.

5. 5
   England

   In England, Malcolm and the exiled Macduff raise an army under old Siward to march north and set Scotland free.

6. 6
   Birnam Wood

   Camouflaged with boughs cut from Birnam Wood, the avenging army advances, and the forest itself seems to move against the tyrant.

7. 7
   Dunsinane

   At Dunsinane the prophecies close upon Macbeth, and Macduff, not of woman born, brings the tragedy to its bloody end.