The Canon Library
Cover of Macbeth

Early Modern · Tragedy

Macbeth

by William Shakespeare. A warrior murders his king to seize the crown and descends into paranoia, brutality, and spiritual emptiness.

Date
c. 1606
Origin
Scotland / England
Era
Early Modern
Genre
Tragedy
Difficulty
Accessible
Length
Short
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

Why it matters

A warrior murders his king to seize the crown and descends into paranoia, brutality, and spiritual emptiness.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of great books / bloom. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

Related works

Book

Richard III

William Shakespeare · Early Modern · Drama / poetry

Reading lists featuring Macbeth

Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.