History

 

    Many aspects of Shakespeare's Macbeth are historically correct but we're going to tell you the real Macbeth story.

    Shakespeare's view of the man and his reign was purely fictional.  Raphael Holingshed( c.1528 - c. 1580) was a historian and the author of Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland.  From these Shakespeare took information for Macbeth.  Shakespeare was more interested in the drama aspect then the true history.

    Macbeth was a real Scotsman who lived in 11th century Scotland; c.1005 - c.1057 to be exact.  He was a grandson of Malcolm II so his claim to the throne was legitimate.  He secured this by marrying the grand-daughter of Kenneth III who was the predecessor of Malcolm II.  Macbeth did not murder Duncan but he did launch a civil war in which Duncan died in battle.  Shakespeare used an account of an earlier regicide and used it for Duncan for dramatic purposes.  The play showed Scotland being tormented by Macbeth's tyrannical ways while it is reported that he ruled for 15 peaceful years.  Holingshed documented Macbeth's virtues as a king which Shakespeare ignored in the play in the interest of drama.  His reign did end when an exhiled Malcolm invaded with English forces.  This was in 1054 and was not a complete conquest.  Malcolm lost a battle at Dunsinane Castle but finally defeated Macbeth near Dunsinane in 1057.
 
 

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