Macbeth was written by William Shakespeare around 1606–1607.

Historical Context

Most scholars agree that Macbeth was composed in the early years of King James I's reign, shortly after James ascended the English throne in 1603. The play contains references that celebrate King James's lineage and responds to events such as the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, suggesting a composition date of 1606.

Performance and Publication

Macbeth was likely first performed in 1606 at Hampton Court for King James I. The earliest printed version appeared in Shakespeare’s First Folio, published in 1623.

In summary, Macbeth was written in approximately 1606, during the early Jacobean era, and was published in 1623.