Macbeth The Man and the Myth

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1,000 Years ago… Scotland was a country of ethnicities such as the Scots, Picts, Britons, Vikings, and Angles. These factions were constantly warring to control various sections of the country. A way to gain control at this time was to take it by force, killing the previous leader. It was also a country fending off powerful Viking invaders to the north. One of the territories that successfully fought off the Vikings was the one Macbeth grew up in.

Who is Macbeth? A real-life Scottish king who ruled 1040 – 1057, although his reign was slightly limited after defeat in 1054 by the Northumberian army led by his cousin Malcolm IV and Siward. Macbeth died in 1057 after defeat in a separate battle. A descendant of royalty, his grandfather was Malcolm II, a king of Scotland. He lived with him at court for a few years after his father’s death. His father was Mormaer of Moray which made him the leader of the northern territory where Macbeth grew up.

Family Feud Macbeth’s father Findlaech was killed in 1020 by Macbeth’s cousins Malcolm III and Gillacomgain when Macbeth was 15. His cousin Malcolm III (great-nephew to the king) took over as Mormaer and young Macbeth fled to safety. At some point, Macbeth lived with his grandfather, King Malcolm II.

How did Macbeth become king? Cousin Malcolm III died in 1029 and his younger brother Gillacomgain took over his role as Mormaer. In 1032, Macbeth (now 27) took revenge for the killing of his father by burning his cousin Gillacomgain and 50 of his men alive. Macbeth became Mormaer of Moray and married Gruoch, Gillacomgain’s widow. He adopted Lulach, their son, as his heir. Macbeth killed King Duncan in 1040 while the king was staying with him in Moray.

How was Macbeth viewed? He was considered a good king and valiant warrior, successfully repelling a Viking invasion in Macbeth was more popular than King Duncan, who was viewed as weak and naïve becoming king at merely 17 years old. He distinguished himself as the only Scottish king to go on a pilgrimage to Rome “scattering silver like seed to the poor” on Easter 1050—a public relations success to demonstrate Scotland was progressive and financially sound. He was described as “the red, tall, golden- haired one.” “Red” likely refers to a having ruddy complexion.

The real Macbeth was more like William Wallace in “Braveheart” vs. the impressionable, hubristic traitor created by Shakespeare.

Man vs. Myth Respected as king Effective diplomat for Scotland Ruled Scotland for almost 17 years Supported by LM, who was also descended from royalty Adopted LM’s son as his heir Killed King Duncan Warrior- King Defeated by Malcolm IV and Siward Incompetent and hated as king Becomes increasingly isolated and unstable Rules Scotland for less than a year. Manipulated by a power- hungry Lady Macbeth No children “Real” MacbethShakespeare’s Macbeth

Why do you think Shakespeare wrote a play about Macbeth?

Making the Myth For the first time in print, Macbeth’s murder of Duncan is depicted as treachery in Andrew of Wyntoun’s Orygynale Cronykil c The chronicle Scotorum Historiae (1527) by Hector Boece first portrayed Macbeth as one of Duncan’s generals and introduced Banquo as a ghost.

Shakespeare’s Inspirations Kingship based upon Destiny Orygynale Cronykil by Andrew of Wyntoun (c. 1400)

Duncan as a wise, handsome, princely monarch Duan Albanach (c.1100)

Three weird sisters Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland by Raphael Holinshed (1577)

Banquo’s ghost Scotorum Historiae by Hector Boece (1527)

Macduff aiding Malcolm to plot against Macbeth Chronicle of the Scottish People by John of Fordun (1370)

And now… as we begin our discussion of this complex character, some questions to consider…

 Reread the opening scene. What mood is set?  Nature is in darkness and chaos. How does this relate to the events? How might Elizabethan audiences have reacted to it? Why would Shakespeare have begun the play this way?  The sergeant reports good news of victory at battle—yet the setting is gloomy and unsettling. Why?  What is true of the real Macbeth in Act I, scene II?

What do we learn about Macbeth from the beginning?  How would you describe King Duncan?  How would you describe Lady Macbeth?  How is Macbeth’s situation similar to that of a young person moving out on his own for the first time?