This symbolises the great guilt that Macbeth feels as he has alienated himself from God, even though he needed to be blessed by God.

Creation of Macbeth:

Painting of Macbeth and the Three Witches

One of Shakespeare's later tragedies, Macbeth was probably written in 1606, the year after the Gunpowder Plot (a failed attempt to blow up Parliament and with it King James I of England), and so would have been especially relevant to contemporary audiences. The play is recorded as being performed at the Globe Theatre in 1611, although it is probable that it was first performed sometime before then. It was not published until the First Folio of 1623. As a play about Scottish kingship, it may have been written to please King James who was also James VI of Scotland, and who claimed Duncan as one of his ancestors. James was particularly interested in the evils of witchcraft and himself author of a work on demonology. He was also patron of Shakespeare's company of actors the King's Men.

The principal source for the play was Holinshed's Chronicles and the character of Macbeth was based on a historical figure, the King of Scotland from 1040 to 1057. Like Shakespeare's creation, the real Macbeth seized the crown after murdering Duncan whose family made several unsuccessful attempts to regain the thrown. The play explores themes of evil and witchcraft, suspicion and mistrust, and the supernatural; set in 11th century Scotland, the action is fast-moving and many of the scenes take place in the dark of night. Macbeth is sometimes known as the Scottish play, especially by members of the theatrical profession. The play has traditionally been associated with bad luck, and there is a superstition in the theatre that mentioning its real name will bring misfortune.

NLB provides a whole range of eDatabases on Language and Literature

Image Reference: Macbeth and the Three Witches, 1855 (oil on canvas). (2003). In The Bridgeman Art Library Archive. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/3323465 Credo Reference Language

Text Reference: Macbeth. (2000). In Dictionary of Shakespeare, Peter Collin Publishing. Retrieved March 19, 2008, from http://www.credoreference.com/entry/1058950Macbeth. Credo Reference Language