The Real Macbeth Research Paper

The real Macbeth was a Scottish king of the eleventh century. He was remembered by running an efficient government and promoting Christianity. Shakespeare’s Macbeth bears little resemblance to this man. His actual name in Scotland would have been Mac Bethad Findlaich. He was born around 1005. Macbeth’s father was a mormaer, or a steward of high standings of the ancient Celtic provinces of Scotland. Macbeth’s mother was thought to have been Donada, the second daughter of Malcolm II. Historians describe young Macbeth as tall, fair haired, and handsome. At the age of seven, Macbeth attends a Christian monastery so that the monks may educate him. When Macbeth reaches the age of fifteen, his cousins, Malcolm and Gillecomgain, killed his father,

This occurs in a war near Elgin, Morayshire. Since Duncan is gone, Macbeth then takes over the throne. There is no known resistance to his take over. He was married to Kenneth III’s granddaughter which only strengthened his right to the crown. Then in 1045, Macbeth goes at it once again killing Duncan I’s father, Crinan at Dunkeld. John Fordun wrote that Duncan’s wife fled Scotland after the news of her husband’s death. With her she took their children and future kings, Malcolm III and Donald III. It is unsure to where they fled, but suspicions are in place that it was to either Northumbria or Orkney. Another writer, E. William Robertson suggests that the safest place for the widow to take have her children would have been Atholl. Macbeth ruled over his land for fourteen years equably, imposing justice and encouraging Christianity. He was thought to be a valiant and brave leader who made successful attacks into Northumbria, England. Macbeth enforced laws that required officers of the court to defend women and orphans in the

In 1054, both him and Siward led an army into Northern Scotland to battle against Macbeth. On July 27, 1054, the invaders met Macbeth’s army in Dunsinnan, which is close to the capital in Scone. Macbeth’s forces lost twice as much men as his opponent. The war lasted over three years. In August 1057, Macbeth was killed by Malcolm’s men as he was trying to return to Moray. A few days later, Macbeth’s stepson, Lulach, was elected high king. He ruled for seven months before Malcolm sent agents to kill him also. On April 25, 1058, Malcolm finally got what he had waited so long for and became king of Scotland. There’s more differences than there are similarities in the play. Some of the similarities include, the characters. In both, there was a King Duncan that ruled the land and then was murdered by Macbeth. There was also of course a Macbeth. Although, in the play Macbeth isn’t portrayed as good of a man as he was in true history. Back in the eleventh century, Macbeth was a good king that promoted Christianity and was kind to his