Will the Real Macbeth Please Stand Up History

Will the Real Macbeth Please Stand Up? History vs. Shakespeare’s Version Lecture Objective: Analyze similarities and differences between history and art

Objectives: Analyze… How does Shakespeare’s version of Macbeth’s story differ from historical accounts of Macbeth’s story? Decide why Shakespeare created a revised history when writing Macbeth.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Written between 16031606 –First performed 1606 –First published 1609

1034: Malcolm II is succeeded by his grandson Duncan as King of Scotland 1040: King Duncan tries to impose his will on northern Scotland suppress local nobles

Historical Macbeth 1040: Macbeth of Moray defeats Duncan at Battle of Pitgaveny, and becomes king of Scotland … – … until 1057 Duncan’s wife flees with her two sons, Malcolm and Donalbain

Historical Macbeth 1054: Edward the Confessor, King of England, orders invasion of Scotland 1057: Malcolm (Duncan’s son) defeats Macbeth at Battle of Dunsinane, and becomes Malcolm III – Earl of Northumbria, Siward, leads army into Scotland

Duncan vs. Macbeth #truth (for real in actual history) Duncan’s rule: – 6 years – characterized by failed battles and ineffective leadership Macbeth’s rule: – 17 years – called “benevolent” and “renowned” – no mention of Lady Macbeth’s effect on her husband

Jumping Ahead … The relationship between James I and Banquo …

Historical Banquo Mentioned by Holinshed in Chronicles (1587) Supposedly an ancestor of the Fitzalan High Stewards of Scotland – ancestors of James VI/I – 19 th century research shows the Fitzalan couldn’t have descended from Scottish heritage; what James I believed was likely erroneous

James VI of Scotland became James I of England Scotland, 1603

James I First monarch to unite English and Scottish thrones – Second successive Protestant monarch Claimed Banquo as his ancestor Paranoid about assassination plots – Guy Fawkes Day! Nov 5 th, annually

James I In 1597, wrote a book called Daemonology In 1597 -8, wrote The Trew Law of Free Monarchies, originating the idea of the Divine Right of Kings

James I Intended victim of the Gunpowder Plot 1605: – Guy Fawkes and co-conspirators – Wanted to blow up Parliament – Tragedy averted; co-conspirators caught, tortured, and executed

Members of the Gunpowder Plot (Guy Fawkes is third from right)

Exit Slip: On your blank sheet of paper v. Draw two Macbeths to show you can differentiate between the two: – On the left, draw and annotate historical Macbeth – On the right, draw and annotate literary Macbeth

Exit Slip Front of Note Card Explain why Shakespeare created a revisionist history when writing Macbeth. Back of Note Card Write the most current version of your Macbeth paper thesis statement.