The story of Macbeth, based on historical facts from Scottish history, is a tale of murder, greed, corruption, violence, and treachery - all the things Shakespeare held near and dear to his heart. Enraged with King Duncan's announcement that his son, Malcolm, would be automatic successor to the thrown, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin entertaining murderous thoughts of taking over the Scottish Kingdom. This marked the beginning of their pitiful downfall from respected royalty to tormented tyrants. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth go through ironic character changes at different points throughout the story, as they commit the horrid acts of murder and ar