ipl-logo

Shakespeare's Macbeth-Changes In The Name Of History

1006 Words5 Pages

Changes In The Name of History: An Exploration Into The Historical Characters of Shakespeare’s Macbeth

William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, turned what people knew as Scottish history into a powerful act of betrayal; a madman murdering a good king out of greed. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for reigning king of England, King James I of England (James VI of Scotland) who had a strong belief in all things dark and supernatural, like witches. Macbeth includes multiple historical characters, all previous kings of Scotland; but why? Shakespeare uses the characters King Duncan, King Macbeth, and King Malcolm to explore the royalty of Scotland throughout time and to appease the king with a dark story about history.
Macbeth begins with King Duncan on …show more content…

In the play, he is a military general with no hope for the throne other than what the Weird Sisters acknowledge as his fate. “All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!” ( Shakespeare 1.3.53). They say he will be king, but do not say how. However, the Macbeth of Scottish history was a recognized Duke for Duncan I with a legitimate claim to the throne through his mother’s bloodline. He did kill Duncan, but only as a result of forming an alliance with his cousin the Earl of Orkney, and defeating Duncan in 1040; not by stabbing the man in his sleep. The real Macbeth was not a madman. He was respected for his strong leadership qualities and ruled successfully for 17 years in the same place they play is set, Dunsinane. He was known as a wise king before being defeated at the battle of Dunsinnan in 1054 by Malcolm III. Macbeth’s step-son was next to the throne, but Malcolm III defeated him …show more content…

Historically, Duncan I’s son, Malcolm III, took the throne after Macbeth’s stepson and rules Scotland from 1058 - 1093. Following his father’s murder, Malcolm III was forced to seek safety in the the court of his mother’s relatives. They later aided him in slaying Macbeth at the Battle of Lumphanan. Lulach, Macbeth's stepson, succeeded to the throne briefly before he too died at Malcolm's hands in 1058. With the death of Lulach, Malcolm became King of Scots.
The reigning king of the time, King James I had written two books on Divine Right, one, Basilikon Doron, for the edification of his son Prince Henry (1594-1612) and the other, The True Law of Free Monarchies , was a simple explanation of his theories for the general literate public. In these books he details some traits he expects of divine kings. Shakespeare’s portrayal of Malcolm is a perfect example of these traits expected by the King. Not only would this appease King James, but it restored a fictional good and rightness after useless Duncan I’s

Show More
Related
873 Words | 4 Pages

His agnorsis could be said to occur earlier, when he becomes aware of Lady Macbeths death. His understated reaction oculd indicate his complete exhaustion and defeat together with involuntary awareness and his commentss that life is nothing more than a "tale,told by an idiot signifying nothing." In the end of the play natural order and control is restored as Macbeth is killed and Malcolm, the rightful heir to the throne according to succession and order, is crowned king of Scotland. Shakespeare successfully warns and scares the audience against thinking about

Read More
675 Words | 3 Pages

Shakespeare’s renowned tragic play ‘Macbeth’ was written in the 1500s to entertain and please King James I of England. The story follows a once noble and valiant knight turned tyrannous called Macbeth in his journey as he navigates his way through the dangerous waters of ambition and greed that ultimately result in his death. Macbeth at the start of the play is a self-proclaimed ‘servant of the king’ but when he hears three witches’ prophecy that he is going to be king, his loyalties seem to flip. In his greed, he ends up murdering the current King of Scotland – King Duncan.

Read More
796 Words | 4 Pages

Malcolm, son of Duncan and soon to be king, shows detailed character development from his actions and speeches for his country Scotland. These actions and speeches foreshadows how Malcolm’s leadership will benefit the country but were overlooked by many because of Macbeth’s influence on Scotland. Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, shows the actions of Macbeth and how his presence diminishes the royalty of Scotland. Macbeth also shows the actions of Malcolm and how he will deal with Macbeth and what he is doing. Macbeth’s influence as king forced many to believe that the Scotland’s future will fall.

Read More
402 Words | 2 Pages

However, since Macbeth is king of all the land opposing him would be treason. Yet Malcolm continues with his plan and forms an army that goes to attack Macbeth. Macduff ends up killing Macbeth himself. Moreover, Malcolm takes the throne for himself. Power and authority shifts once again.

Read More
429 Words | 2 Pages

Three witches show him that he will become powerful in the future and gain a seat on the throne. After gaining this vision of power MacBeth gains lots of ambition and kills King Duncan. MacBeth admits to the murder when he says "I have done the deed. Didst thou

Read More
1113 Words | 5 Pages

Macbeth is a tyrant during his rule, manipulating the minds of the people and using murders to clear out anyone that stood in his way, so that he can stay in power. Malcolm worries about the state of Scotland as he exclaims, “I think our country sinks beneath the yoke./ It weeps, it bleeds, and each new day a gash/ Is added to her wounds. I think withal…” (Shakespeare 4.3.49-51). Malcolm notices the true state of Scotland under the rule of Macbeth, as he has forcefully gained his

Read More
1014 Words | 5 Pages

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth was first performed for King James I of England and VI of Scotland in 1606. James was descended from Banquo’s line, and through which he had become king. Shakespeare told the story of Macbeth with minor alterations to the historical tale; one such change was he portrayed Banquo as innocent and uninvolved in King Duncan’s murder. This left the blame entirely on Macbeth.

Read More
1631 Words | 7 Pages

This good side of Macbeth eventually deteriorates, however, as he fights for power and kingship by killing not only King Duncan, but many others. He ends up as a much hated king who is eventually killed. The character of Macbeth shifts from a favourable, loyal person to one that is destructive and consumed by power. This idea is analysed by Shakespeare by the way of his power in his marriage, how he involved himself with the witches, and how willing he was to do things. The first way that Macbeth’s change was shown in the play is how strong he was inside of his relationship with Lady Macbeth.

Read More
659 Words | 3 Pages

Malcolm ran away and did not have the chance to become king, so who knows if he would have been a good one or not. These are some facts about the three kings on how loyal each of them are. King Duncan would be the best choice for the King of Scotland. First, my last choice would be Macbeth.

Read More
2486 Words | 10 Pages

Explore the ways that Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a character that disrupts the Great Chain of Being. ‘Macbeth’ by Shakespeare was performed in 1606, during King James’ reign. When Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’, witchcraft was a topic of considerable interest and fear, even reaching as high as the new king of England, James I, who had written a book, Demonology, about witches. Elizabethan society may have thought that James I was a weak link in the Great Chain of Being, as he wasn’t directly related to the previous Queen. ‘Macbeth’, was written for the court partly in the response to the Gun Powder Plot of 1605 in order to reinforce the Divine Right of Kings and James I legitimacy to the throne.

Read More
689 Words | 3 Pages

A story of tragedy is not uncommon with William Shakespeare and his works of prose. In his plays, death and despair is more likely than honor and prosperity. This is an included facet to Macbeth as well, having sinister themes of greed, manipulation, and brutality. Macbeth, by the infamous playwright, Shakespeare, presents us with multiple aspects factoring into whether the main character controls his actions that lead to the tragic events.

Read More
646 Words | 3 Pages

[Malcolm] good Siward and ten thousand men” (IV. iii. 219-220) for Malcolm to fight Macbeth for the crown. It is seen in this scene, that his will to become king is so strong, that it is filling him with such

Read More
1013 Words | 5 Pages

As he returns from battle, three witches appear revealing the future predictions that he will become king. After realizing that Malcom, the oldest son of the king, will be next in line, Macbeth decides to kill king. However, he still struggles with the decision as he carries compassion and loyalty to King Duncan. The power of knowledge, in this case, gave Macbeth the upper hand to his ambition which made him wonder what he needs to do to make it come true. Here is where Macbeth’s characteristic develops into a desire to become king, changing his path of just protecting his kingdom to a man who suddenly wants it all.

Read More
721 Words | 3 Pages

“There is none but he whose being I do fear: and, under him, my genius is rebuked; as, it is said, Mark Antony 's was by Caesar” (III.i.57-60). Macbeth is angry about being under any of Duncan 's sons when it comes to who becomes the next king. Macbeth is being selfish and greedy, which he proves when he kills Duncan to take his place as king. Macbeth thinks about his line of succession, and thinks to himself “ No son of mine succeeding,if’t

Read More
593 Words | 3 Pages

“Go pronounce his present death,/And with his former title greet Macbeth”(1.2.64-65). The King was very confident in Macbeth and that is why he named him he new Thane of Cawdor. King Duncan considered Macbeth as a friend, he was comfortable being around him and trusted Macbeth. Macbeth holds a high title as a hero of war and the new Thane of Cawdor which means he couldn’t possibly be wholly

Read More

More about Shakespeare's Macbeth-Changes In The Name Of History

Related Topics

Open Document