MacBeth

[Archangel2]

In my English class we have been reading Shakespear's play "MacBeth". I was wondering about how much factual information there is in the play, and how much is just poking fun at the Scots

[ANDY-J]

Archangel2,
Macbeth was a real historical figure.He lived in the eleventh century (died 1057) and was King of Scots since 1040.Previously he had held the title Mormaer of Moray.Mormaer was a pictish title for the hereditary rulers of Moray in the north-east of Scotland.Shakespeare wrote Macbeth to please James VI who had become king of England after the unification of the crowns in 1603.There is much subtle humour and innuendo in Shakespeare's play,for example the three witches stirring the boiling cauldron was a humorous dig at the Scots who,so the English believed,were fond of boiling all their food.

Shakespeare's play is based on a "history" written by an Aberdeen scholar named Hector Boece. Apart from the name Macbeth and his origins as "Thane" of Cawdor (i.e. Moray) the story is almost total fiction.

For a king who reigned for 17 years there is remarkably little known about Macbeth, but what is known about him points to his being a pretty good king by the standards of the day. Even the fact that he lasted 17 years on the throne points to him being very competent.

He died at Lumphanan in Aberdeenshire, about 7 miles away from where I am sitting typing this message.

[Archangel2]

Thanks for you help on clarifying these key details. It really helped my understanding of the play. Thanks again!