Isn't Macbeth also based on historical events, in the 11th century? Mind you, it was definitely elaborated on by Shakespeare, and probably moreso than his other historical works, but what sets it apart from the other historical works of Shakespeare?
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Isn't Macbeth also based on historical events, in the 11th century? Mind you, it was definitely elaborated on by Shakespeare, and probably moreso than his other historical works, but what sets it apart from the other historical works of Shakespeare?
I have no idea.
Macbeth was based on a number of altered historical events. The first was the attempted assassination of King James, called The Gunpowder plot. When the porter does his crazy speech in II.iii, his "equivocator" is often believed as referring to Henry Garnet, who was executed for his participation in this plot. "News From Scotland" and "Daemonologie" both books on witches were thought to be source material for Shakespeare. The greatest source of the sotry is Holinshed's "Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland" (1587) will tells the score of Macbeth, king of Scotland from 1040 to 1057. Although accounts differ on various aspects, all accounts agree that Macbeth (the real figure) did gain the throne by killing the current king (who really was named Duncan) and lost the throne to Duncan's son (who really was named Malcom) when he was killed by him.
Don't thank me, thank my cliff's complete edition of macbeth! :)
The entire play was written for King James I when he ascended the throne. The historical details would have been altered to please the king, namely with Banquo, who James was supposed to be descended from in Scotland. For this reason, Banquo was made out as a noble hero, when in fact he was supposed to be a scoundrel.
Any historical fact was distorted to make the play entertaining and for King James' pleasure. Just like films today.
There is a fairly complete chapter about the historical Macbeth in Scotland: The Story of a Nation by Magnus Magnusson (no I didn't make that name up). Magnussen seems to think that Macbeth was actually a Norse king who's powerbase was in Orkney.
The truth behind macbeth is that he was a king and reigned for 17 years and untited north and south scotland. He is nothing like the man portrayed in William Shakespeares Macbeth!