Was Macbeth written by William Shakespeare?

Answer 1

William Shakespeare [Baptized April 26, 1564-April 23, 1616] wasn't known to have been related to Macbeth [c. 1014-August 15, 1057]. The Shakespearean genealogy didn't leave a clear paper trail. For example, his parents were known to be John Shakespeare [c. 1530-September 1601] and Mary Arden. His grandparents were thought to be Richard Shakespeare [1490-1561] and Abigail Webb, the aunt and mother-in-law of Mary Arden Shakespeare. Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway [1556-August 6, 1623] had three children. Their son Hamnet [February 2, 1585-August 11, 1596] died young. Their younger daughter Judith Shakespeare Quiney [February 2, 1585-February 9, 1662] outlived her children and had no grandchildren. Their older daughter Susanna Shakespeare [Baptized May 26, 1583-July 11, 1649] had one surviving child, Elizabeth [Baptized February 21, 1608-February 17, 1670], from her marriage to Dr John Hall [d. 1635]; and no grandchildren. So the Shakespearean line ended with his grandchildren. Macbeth [c. 1014-August 15, 1057] lived in 11th century Scotland. His genealogy likewise left no clear paper trail. For example, his father was known to be Findlaech [d. 1020]. His mother might have been the daughter or granddaughter of King Malcolm II [d. November 25, 1034]. His grandfather was known to be Ruaidri. Macbeth's wife had a son, the subsequent King Lulach [d. March 17, 1058], from her first marriage to Gille Coemgain [d. 1032]. But she had no children with her second husband. So Macbeth's line ended with him. So there was no direct line of descent from Macbeth in 11th century Scotland to Shakespeare in 16th century England.

Answer 2

yes, Shakespeare changed Macbeth.

Shakespeare's Macbeth and the historical Macbeth have similarities but are different in many ways.

However, Shakespeare may not have done the actual changing; his character is a lot like the character of Macbeth as reported in the history book he used, Holinshed's Chronicles.

Answer 3

Very little indeed. Macbeth was Scottish, Shakespeare English. Macbeth was a noble, Shakespeare was bourgeois. Macbeth lived in the eleventh century and Shakespeare in the sixteenth. Macbeth died of wounds received in battle, Shakespeare died quietly in his bed.

About the only thing that they might have in common, and this is to a certain extent conjectural, is that Macbeth's wife Gruoch was a widow who had already borne a son to Gillecomlan at the time she married Macbeth. She may have been older than her husband, as Anne Shakespeare was.

Answer 4

It is based on history but he took a lot of liberties with the facts like excluding banquo from the plot to kill the king as it would offend the king James I as he descended from banquo.

Answer 5

Shakespeare's acting company was called The King's Men because King James was their patron. It was a relation fo patronage.

Answer 6

No William Shakespeare was not related to the royal family.

Answer 7

yes, around 1605