Sources of the Play Macbeth

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II Sources of the Play A Play Based in History Shakespeare based the main events in Macbeth on a book by Raphael Holinshed called Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Shakespeare used this book as a source for many of his plays.

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II Sources of the Play Macbeth for Real Macbeth was the real-life king of Scotland from 1040 to 1057. However, the historical Macbeth had a legitimate claim to Duncan’s throne gained the throne with the help of other nobles ruled rather successfully

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II Sources of the Play Shakespeare’s Macbeth Given the historical facts, why did Shakespeare paint Macbeth as such an evil, power-hungry man? give him no political allies? develop Lady Macbeth into such a ruthless and ambitious character? depict Macbeth’s reign as bringing nothing but disaster to Scotland?

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II Sources of the Play Backdrop for the Play In the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, several Catholic zealots plotted—unsuccessfully—to blow up King James I and his Protestant Parliament. King James I

The Tragedy of Macbeth, Act II Sources of the Play A Play About People Shakespeare was more interested in psychological truth than in historical fact. Macbeth may not be historically accurate, but it is about real people—men and women tempted by power and caught in a web of their own desires. [End of Section]