This document provides an introduction to William Shakespeare and his play Macbeth. It summarizes that Shakespeare was born in 1564 in Stratford and wrote major tragedies including Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello and King Lear before dying in 1616. It then gives an overview of the plot of Macbeth, noting that the story is set in Scotland and involves the king Duncan, and his trusted commanders Macbeth and Banquo defeating rebels, only to then have their futures foretold by witches.