Was Macbeth a real person

Answer 1

Macbeth did indeed ascend the Scottish throne after the death of King Duncan I, but Duncan was a fairly young man (unlike the old and wise Duncan of the play) and was by no means a very able ruler. He was not murdered in his bed, but defeated and killed by Macbeth at the Battle of Pitgaveny on the 14th August, 1040 in what was a generally popular dynastic coup. As king, Macbeth seemed to bring order and stability to Scotland, so much so that he was able to leave and go on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1050. However, the King of England, (Edward The Confessor) made an massive invasion bid under the command of Earl Siward in 1054 which severely weakened Scotland once again. Although Macbeth's regime survived that crisis, Duncan's son Malcolm Canmore (the future Malcolm III) was later able to defeat Macbeth at the Battle of Lumphanam on the 15th August, 1057. Mortally wounded, Macbeth died at Scone shortly afterwards and was succeeded as king by his stepson, Lulach (as opposed to Malcolm). Unlike in the Shakespeare play, Macbeth was not considered a tyrant by his contemporaries and had a generally very successful reign lasting 17 years. The reason this may have changed in Shakespeare's Macbeth is because Shakespeare made his plays to please the English monarchy, and the real history does not portray England as a very moral country.

Answer 2

Macbeth was a historical figure who ruled Scotland from 1040 to 1057, but many details about his life are obscured by myth and legend. The Shakespearean play "Macbeth" is inspired by his story, blending historical events with dramatic embellishments.

Answer 3

Macbeth was a character in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" he is one of the main characters and the whole story is based around him.

Answer 4

The 'Scottish Play' is a dramatisation by Shakespeare of Scottish Royal history. Shakespeare is great at this, a great propagandist. He uses history to frame his characters to fit the circumstances very effectively in English literature in Tudor times. It is based on the truth, but how literal ? I really couln't say...... Certainly Macbeth was king of Scotland after Duncan I from 1040 to his death in 1057 when he was succeeded by Malcolm.

Answer 5

He was very civil and a very nice guy. He was respected on the battlefield and a lot of people liked him. Shakespeare wrote the play in honor of King James so he made King Duncan, the WAY nicer form of King James and Macbeth like he is in the play to please King James. Macbeth wasn't very liked by King James because he was jealous of everyone liking Macbeth.

Answer 6

In the case of his Historical plays (Richard III et al) the stories were based on real people. Even the story of Macbeth was based on a real life occurrence, only it was the real life equivalent of Banquo who had done the murders.

Answer 7

yes. 11th century Scottish king.

Not to be confused with the character in Shakespeare's play.