Macbeth Notes

• Written in 1605-1606
• twisted history
• intense, psychological, political, history, tragedy
• addressed political agenda of King James
• intertwined mythologies and realities
• (Raphael) Holinshed's Chroicles of Scottish History
• 11th century Scottland
• collection of gossip and tales
• flawed source of information behind Shakespeare's Macbeth.
• Shakespeare chose bits and pieces that made a good drama
• altered historical records
• referenced events occuring in England at the time in his play
• Gunpowder plot
• The historical Macbeth
• lived during the Dark Ages
• 1040: Macbeth becomes king
• overthrows and kills King Duncan
• rules for 17 years
• 1057: Duncan's son overthrows and kills Macbeth
• King Malcolm III
•  married English Princess (Saint) Margaret
• not much else is known about King Macbeth or his wife Grunnich