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Shakespeare, when writing about historical events, had a tendency to compress the time so it would flow more naturally in a play. From the play one gets the impression that Macbeth reigned for a very short time indeed. Act III starts with Banquo saying "Thou hast it now" which suggests that Macbeth has just been crowned. He then immediately meets Macbeth who invites him to the feast that evening, which means that all of Act III to the end of scene iv happens the same day. At the end of Scene iv Macbeth says "I will tomorrow, and betimes I will, to the weird sisters." He does that in Act IV Scene i, at the end of which he says that, without delay, "the castle of Macduff I will surprise, seize upon Fife, give to the edge o' the sword his wife, his babes . . ." This happens in the next scene. Ross brings the news to Macduff in the scene that follows which ends with Malcolm saying "our power is ready; our lack is nothing but our leave.", meaning that they will embark on their expedition immediately. It takes them to Act V Scene vi to get to Dunsinane.

The flow of this action suggests that Macbeth's reign could be measured in weeks. The reign of the historical Macbeth was quite successful and lasted 17 years.

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