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Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 3.15.97: Top | Help
You've heard correctly. The historical Macbeth ruled for
approximately 9 years, and his reign was generally considered
to be acceptable. In no way could it be characterized as the
nightmare brought on by the play. I'm sorry that I can't
give you more details, but I haven't looked at the real
Macbeth for a long time. I wrote a paper about Malcolm IV
"Canmore" -- the Malcolm from the play, and had to research
Macbeth peripherally for the presentation.One possible reason that Macbeth is portrayed so horribly is
that King James, whom I believe was the monarch when
Shakespeare wrote "Macbeth", was a direct descendent of
Banquo. Shakespeare, like all good playwrights, was well
attuned to the political realities of his situation. James
was supposedly really into both his ancestry and the
supernatural (possibly explains the over-the-top scenes
with the Witches and Hecate).Sorry I couldn't be of more help . . .
Posted by Scott Schiefelbein on March 17, 1997 at 11:02:28
In Reply to "Why is Macbeth Evil?" posted by Halgren on March 16, 1997 at 14:59:03
Replies | Post Reply | Shakespeare Queries & Replies From Everyone Else 3.15.97: Top | Help