Shakespeare Learning ZoneMacbeth: Key Facts - when was it written?
The main character in William Shakespeare's Macbeth is the title character.The character is derived from the account in Holinshed's Chronicles, a collection of British history, and is based on the historical king of Scotland.
After a supernatural prophecy and the urging of his wife, Lady Macbeth, a Scottish noble commits regicide and takes over the kingship of Scotland.He is unable to rest or trust his nobles.He was defeated by his former ally Macduff.King Duncan's son, Malcolm, is the rightful heir to the throne.
In the narratives of the Kings Duff and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles, there is a reference to the story of Macbeth of Scotland.[2]
During the civil war in Scotland, King Duncan gives a colourful and extensive exaltation of Macbeth's prowess and introduces him to the title of Thane of Glamis, which he inherited from his father Sinel.Scotland's hero is a man named Macbeth."For brave Macbeth, well he deserves that name", "O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman" and "Like valour's minion" are just some of the admirable qualities of Macbeth.It has been proven that Macbeth is the ultimate warrior.His courage is being compared to the Roman God of War, Mars.The status of Macbeth has been given a legendary and epic status.When the battle is won, Duncan honours his generals with high praise and sends the messenger Ross to deliver the title of Thane of Cawdor, since its previous holder was to be executed."Go pronounce his present death, and with his former title greet Macbeth" was written by Shakespeare in Scene 2.
Three witches greet them with prophecies as they wander onto a heath after the conflict.Banquo is hailed as a father to a line of kings, though he himself will never rule, and they address him first, saying that he will be King after Macbeth."Look how our partner's rapt" and "rapt withal" were some of the things Macbeth said.The word 'rapt' shows how Macbeth is obsessed with the witches' powers and is tempted by their predictions.As they leave, he calls out "tell me more", meaning that he's interested in their abilities.In his letter to his wife, he said that he wanted to question them further.
Shakespeare presents a very determined character who wants to control his own fate, rather than letting it be for the witches to decide.The lines "Your children shall be kings" and "horrible imaginings" show that Macbeth is already scheming to commit the greatest sacrilege of them all, regicide.This shows how single-minded Macbeth can be.
The responses are different from Banquo's, who knew that the witches were forces of evil and shouldn't be trusted, and that Shakespeare portrays in this scene as if he could be corrupted and his loyalties could shift, due to his state of being.
As the witches disappear, Ross arrives and presents Macbeth with his new title, but it becomes apparent that he has already begun to consider murdering Duncan and taking his place as king.Plans to murder royalty were against the law in medieval and Elizabethan times.He states that the kingship will fall into his lap by luck alone and that he will not have to take any action to fulfill the witches' last prophecy.Banquo advised that "often times to win us to our harm these instruments of darkness tell us truths...to betray us in deepest consequence".