Macbeth+-+Background,+including+the+real+Macbeth

APA Citation for the information on this page: Underwood, L. N. (n.d.). A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. In //Penguin Group (USA) - Academic Services //.


 * Origin of the Play, and the real Macbeth**

William Shakespeare's talents were in the creative dramatization of a story full of imagery and imagination rather than in the origination of the story itself. For his inspiration, he often consulted __Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland__. According to the Chronicles, the "real" Macbeth became King of Scotland in 1040 after having defeated a historical Duncan who was a weak, youthful ruler with little experience. Shakespeare presents an older King Duncan who is due the respect of his thanes; consequently, his murder is more heinous in the dramatic interpretation.

In the Macbeth of Holinshed's Chronicles, the wife of Macbeth is hardly mentioned. Shakespeare develops the impressive character of an ambitious lady Macbeth from a different story found in the Chronicles. The historical Macbeth reigned for 17 years and survived the battles which returned Malcolm to the throne: whereas, Shakespeare presents a series of events which speed to the conclusion of a Macbeth defeated and beheaded


 * King James **

Shakespeare enjoyed much support for Queen Elizabeth who encouraged the artistic efforts of her subjects during the creative Renaissance years. After her death, James VI of Scotland became James I, King of England, in 1603. Because James was considered the eighth descendant of the Banquo-Fleance line, Shakespeare "polished" the historical representation to present Banquo's character in a more honorable light. The Banquo of Holinshed's Chronicles is actually involved in the conspiracy to murder King Duncan.

James produced the book, __Daemonologie__ (1597), which provided ways to recognize witches as well as to defeat their spells He was particularly concerned with the threat of witchcraft after several women were tried in connection with their self-acclaimed attempt to sink his ship during his wedding journey. These women claimed to have sailed "in a sieve" which Shakespeare uses in Act I, scene 3. (All three of the women concerned were burned-as were between 4,500 and 8,000 other supposed witches during that century.)

APA Citation for the information on this page:

Underwood, L. N. (n.d.). A Teacher's Guide to the Signet Classic Edition of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. In //Penguin Group (USA) - Academic Services //.