Macbeth is a comedy with nothing to do with Shakespeare.
Duncan I of Scotland . He is the historical basis of the `` King Duncan '' in Shakespeare 's play Macbeth . Macbeth ( [ məkˈbɛθ ] full title The Tragedy of Macbeth ) is a tragedy by William Shakespeare ; it is thought to have been first performed in 1606 . Of all the plays that Shakespeare wrote during the reign of James I , who was patron of Shakespeare 's acting company , Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright 's relationship with his sovereign . Macbeth (1971 film) . A film adaptation of William Shakespeare 's tragedy of the same name , it retells the story of the Highland lord who becomes King of Scotland through treachery and murder . The Scottish Play and The Bard 's Play are euphemisms for William Shakespeare 's Macbeth .