Background

[Eva Marina]

We just started reading Macbeth for English class and my teacher was giving us some background on the story.
Does anyone know the real story behind Macbeth and Duncan? Not that Shakespeare's account is inaccurate, I'm sure that parts are true to the story. Just the actual story.

[Rosalind]

Well, Shakespeare gave Macbeth the same treatment he did Julius Caesar--only more so. Sure, he got his information from historical (kind of) sources, and then he altered it for the sake of drama and modern context. Some things he had to change. Banquo is a noble character in the play, though he probably plotted Duncan's death along with Macbeth, because the witches' prophecy says that Banquo's descendents will be king, implying that James I was one of those descendents. Presenting Banquo in a negative way could have been construed as an insult to the king, and that would be a bad idea. The significance of the witches probably had a lot to do with James and his interest in the occult, too. So in many ways, Macbeth is the most brilliantly written piece of sycophantry you're ever likely to find. ;)

I'm not criticizing the Bard or the play, mind. I love 'em both.

[Eva Marina]

Thanks!
My teacher gave us some history on the play, but just the actual outline of it. Thanks for clarifying where Banquo fit in with all this. If I tried looking all of it up on my own, I think I might have gotten turned around somewhere and ended up completely lost.

[bhl88]

From this website...it is the history of the real Macbeth (as well as analysis).
http://www.shakespeare-online.com/playanalysis/macbeth.html