History Compared to Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth

650 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Compare lady macbeth and macbeth

The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare is a hyperbole based off of real history, as the story is compared with real history there are many similarities and many differences. Macbeth was written between 1603 and 1607 but is commonly dated 1606. It was most likely written during the reign of James I, who was James VI of Scotland before he became King of England.
History Compared to Shakespeare’s Macbeth. There are many variations and similarities between the real history of King Duncan I of Scotland and William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. According to historians, Lady Macbeth did not aid Macbeth in Duncan’s murder. “Macbeth formed an alliance with his cousin the Earl of Orkney, and together they defeated and killed Duncan near Forres in 1040” (Gate Keep Key). Yet, in the drama Macbeth, Macbeth killed Duncan in his castle in Cawdor with the aid of Lady Macbeth. “O, never shall sun that morrow see! Your face, my Thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters. To beguile the time, Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, your hand, your tongue: look the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t. He that’s coming must be provided for: and you shall put this night’s great business into my dispatch which shall to all our nights and days to come give solely sovereign sway and masterdom” (I, v, 60-70).
Shakespeare made many alterations to historical Macbeth in order to make the drama more interesting. Macbeth was not upset after Duncan took reign. “Macbeth was not immediately hostile to the new king, but several years into Duncan’s reign he raised an army and openly opposed the monarch. Duncan led his own forces against Macbeth and was killed in the ensuing battle” (West Iron). According to Shakespeare, Macbeth was immedia...

... middle of paper ...

...BS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .
"MacBeth MacFindlaech." MacBeth MacFindlaech. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .
"Macbeth Study Guide: Witch Symbolism and Other Symbols." Bright Hub Education. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .
"'Macbeth' Witches." About.com Shakespeare. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .
"Shakespeare's Macbeth." Shakespeare's Macbeth. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .
Thomson, Gale. "The Historical Context of Macbeth." Exploring Shakespeare. Irondequoit High School, 27 Feb. 2007. Web. 14 Nov. 2013. .

Show More
Related

  • Macbeth's Journey From Honor To Dishonor in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    470 Words  | 1 Pages

    When the play started Macbeth was a very loyal person towards the King, therefore the King treated Macbeth like a son. The king tells Macbeth that he is in great debt to Macbeth and there is no amount of money or land to repay Macbeth for his services. Macbeth responds to the King telling him that all he wants is for the King to accept his services and duties to his throne and kingdom (Act I, scene IV). Macbeth shows a great deal of friendliness when he invites King Duncan to his house (Act I, scene VI ). Macbeth is thoughtful and very compassionate in the way of the king but without the King's knowledge he has a plan to kill the King while the King is sleeping.

    Read More

  • The Significance of Moral Ambiguity in Shakespeare's, Tragedy of MacBeth

    831 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Tragedy of Macbeth is a fictional play written by English poet William Shakespeare. The play is set in eleventh century Scotland, during the reign of King James the first. Shakespeare evidently writes in this time period to describe the link between leaders and their supreme or ultimate power. The play was first performed in the year 1606, at the world famous Globe Theatre, and is considered one of the most profound and compelling tragedies ever told. The Tragedy of Macbeth tells the tale of a brave Scottish general named Macbeth and his ambitious desire to become king of Scotland. While he and another commander named Banquo return home from war they stumble into three hagged looking witches. The witches offer the men an enticing prophecy that leads to a more pivotal role found later in the play. Throughout the play Macbeth is seen confronting his own moral ambiguity to the heinous acts he must perform to get the position he most desires. “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, [s]hakes so my single state of man” (Shakespeare 1.3.152-53). This uncertainty, present in the scenes of Duncan’s murder, the feast, and the witch’s final predictions each unfold the ambiguity needed to understand the basis of the work as a whole.

    Read More

  • powmac Macbeth’s Obsession with Power

    995 Words  | 2 Pages

    Wills, Gary. "The Historical Context of Macbeth." Readings on Macbeth. Ed.  Clarice Swisher. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. 30-37.

    Read More

  • Free Essays - The Character Traits of Macbeth

    616 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare's play Macbeth shows us that cheating will not get you were you want to go. Macbeth was written in the 16th century England during the Elizabethan period, because of this the story has a complex plot and many themes that the people in the Elizabethan period would enjoy. The character Macbeth has many traits that Shakespeare used to develop Macbeth throughout the play and even how the character Macbeth advances the theme of the play.

    Read More

  • Blind Violence and Desire in Macbeth

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Ed. Barbara A. Mowat and Paul Werstine. New York: Washington Square Press New Folger Edition, 1992

    Read More

  • Historical Macbeth Compared To Shakespeares Macbeth

    517 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although most of Shakespeare's play " Mac Beth " is not historically accurate, MacBeth's life is the subject of the tragedy. There are characters and events that are based on true events and real persons but, Shakespeare's "MacBeth " differs significantly from history's MacBeth. The first example of a difference between the Shakespeare "MacBeth" and historical Mac Beth is the death of Duncan I. In Shakespeare's " Mac Beth ", Duncan I was murdered by MacBeth.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between King Louis Xvi Of France And Macbeth

    1768 Words  | 4 Pages

    Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth, with Related Readings. Ed. Dom Saliani, Chris Ferguson, and Timothy De Jongh. Scott. Albany, NY: International Thomson Pub., 1997. Print.

    Read More

  • Religious Themes in Macbeth

    1419 Words  | 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare wrote the play Macbeth in approximately 1606. The play is a tragedy and this can often be identified before we have even read the play. The title “Macbeth” alone suggests the genre of the play is a tragedy, as it is the name of a character. Life in Shakespeare’s time was very religious and the play was written in order to please King James I, who was on the throne at this point. The idea of the theme of religion and witchcraft fitting into the play was also to please King James I as he was interested in witchcraft.

    Read More

  • macbeth

    548 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare's play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, was based on the life of Macbeth. However, Shakespeare made up or changed many things in his play to make the idea of Macbeth more interesting. Many of Shakespeare's characters, settings, and events differ from the facts of Macbeth in history.

    Read More

  • Is Macbeth Still Relevant Today

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Tragedy of Macbeth was written, produced and thought to have been first performed in 1606. The play itself dramatizes the physical and psychological effect of political ambition on those who seek power for their own good. The play begins with a brave Scottish general named Macbeth who receives a prophecy from 3 wicked witches who explain to him one day he will become the King of Scotland. With his mind consumed by ambition and dared on by his fellow wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and takes the Scottish throne as his own. Shortly after Macbeth is hit with guilt and paranoia forcing in him into more and more murders to protect himself from suspicion. The madness and consequent civil

    Read More

  • Examples Of Ambition In Macbeth

    590 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Macbeth’s case he had far too much ambition, doing anything to get and hold power. Namely, he had Duncan killed which started his downward spiral. Duncan trusted Macbeth for he was his general. However, Macbeth had different intentions than to simply follow orders even thinking to himself “Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4. 51). So, on the outside Macbeth didn’t act any differently towards King Duncan, but on the inside he was planning on killing him and taking power for himself. Even going as far as, killing one of his best friends and his whole family, and eventually being in his castle alone waiting for Macduff to return to end his life. In conclusion, Macbeth

    Read More

  • Macbeth Written by William Shakepeare

    1614 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macbeth, written between the years of 1603 and 1606, is one of the most well-known plays of William Shakespeare. This play is based on historical events Shakespeare modified from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. This drama portrays the rise of the ambition-powered Macbeth to the throne of Scotland. It depicts the numerous murders and malicious schemes Macbeth undertook to consolidate his power. Many of the accounts in Macbeth are historically accurate; however, some parts of the play were adapted and modified to fit the current times in which Shakespeare lived.

    Read More

  • Historical Context for Shakespeare's Plays

    1028 Words  | 3 Pages

    http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/romeojuliet/context.html. Thomson Gale. The Historical Context of Macbeth. The Historical Context of Macbeth." February 2007.

    Read More

  • Guilt Theme In Macbeth

    805 Words  | 2 Pages

    The author of Macbeth is William Shakespeare, and he is well known for his plays and language. The play starts off with our main character Macbeth who is told of his prophecy by the three witches of him being the king of Scotland. Knowing this Macbeth is then persuaded by his wife to take the life of his king and take the throne. Macbeth is now paranoid about what he has and had done now to become king and securing it. William Shakespeare uses the literary elements; imagery, alliteration, and symbolism to illustrate the theme guilt.

    Read More

  • Macbeth: The Tragic Fall of a Hero

    856 Words  | 2 Pages

    Because of his valor and loyalty, King Duncan felt inclined to say, “O valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!” (1.2.26). In the beginning of the play when Macbeth was coming down from the battlefield and King Duncan received news about Macbeth’s bravery, the Sergeant said, “For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name/ Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel.../ carved out his passage/ Till he faced the slave…” (1.2.18-19.21-22). Duncan is honored to have Macbeth under his rule, he saw Macbeth as a son, as a friend. The two are cousins which would give Macbeth even a stronger reason to not kill Duncan.

    Read More

More about History Compared to Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth

Open Document