This document provides a summary of William Shakespeare and his play Macbeth. It discusses that Shakespeare started his career performing with The Lord Chamberlain's Men and was given a chance to write plays. His early play Henry IV, Part 1 was not well received but he was given another opportunity. It then summarizes the plot of Macbeth, how it was written for King James I, and how the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth conspire to murder King Duncan so Macbeth can become king. The document ends by noting Macbeth's tragic downfall due to his ambition and paranoia.