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

2. Essential Questions (Exit Slip after lecture)
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.

3. Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Written between ; first performed 1609

4. 1034: Malcolm II is succeeded by his grandson Duncan as King of Scotland 1040: King Duncan tries to impose his will on northern Scotland and suppress local nobles
1034: Malcolm II is succeeded by his grandson Duncan as King of Scotland
1040: King Duncan tries to impose his will on northern Scotland and suppress local nobles

5. 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

6. 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
Earl of Northumbria, Siward, leads army into Scotland

7. 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

8. The relationship between James I and Banquo …
Jumping Ahead …
The relationship between James I and Banquo …

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

10. James VI of Scotland became James I of England and Scotland, 1603

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

12. James I In 1597, wrote a book called Daemonology
In , wrote The Trew Law of Free Monarchies, originating the idea of the Divine Right of Kings
acknowledging the existence of witchcraft and condemning it as the devil

13. 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

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

16. Exit Slip: On your blank sheet of paper
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

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