“Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble.” These famous words come from one of Shakespeare’s most exciting and intense plays, Macbeth. It’s a story full of drama, ambition, and dark deeds. While the play is mostly fiction, some of the characters are based on real people who played important roles in Scotland’s history. Let’s dive into the real story of Macbeth and see how it compares to Shakespeare’s version.
In Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth is a king who becomes paranoid and guilty, leading him to kill anyone he suspects of betrayal. King Duncan, whom Macbeth kills to become king, is shown as a kind and wise ruler. However, the real story is quite different. Macbeth was indeed ambitious and fought to become the king of Scotland, but he did so on the battlefield, not through deceit. King Duncan, on the other hand, was not the great ruler Shakespeare made him out to be.
In reality, Macbeth ruled Scotland for nearly 20 years, and his reign was strong and stable. He was recognized for his efforts to develop Scotland and make it known across Europe. During the 11th century, Scotland was made up of several small kingdoms. Macbeth’s grandfather, King Malcolm II, united these kingdoms for the first time, setting the stage for Macbeth’s future rule.
When Malcolm II died in 1034, his grandson Duncan became king. Unlike the wise ruler in the play, the real Duncan was young and inexperienced. His poor decisions led Scotland into unnecessary battles, which weakened his rule. Macbeth, who was already a powerful leader in Moray, saw an opportunity. He formed an alliance with Thorfin, Earl of Orkney, and together they defeated Duncan in battle on August 14, 1040, allowing Macbeth to become king.
Unlike the short and troubled rule depicted in the play, the real Macbeth governed peacefully for almost 17 years. He introduced laws that helped women and orphaned children and even went on a pilgrimage to Rome. However, his rule eventually faced challenges. In 1054, the Earl of Northumbria invaded Scotland, and Macbeth’s enemies united against him. After several battles, Macbeth was killed in 1057 at the Battle of Lumphanan.
Macbeth’s stepson, Lulach, briefly became king but was soon overthrown by Malcolm III. While Shakespeare’s play is a thrilling tale of ambition and downfall, the real story of Macbeth is equally dramatic and full of political intrigue. Both versions offer fascinating insights into the past, leaving us to wonder which we prefer—history or fiction?
If you enjoyed learning about the real Macbeth, there are many more incredible true stories waiting to be discovered. Keep exploring history, and who knows what amazing tales you’ll uncover next!
Read a scene from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and then research the historical events it is based on. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the fictional and historical accounts of Macbeth’s rise to power. Share your findings with the class.
Divide into two groups: one representing Shakespeare’s version of Macbeth and the other representing the historical Macbeth. Prepare arguments to defend your version of Macbeth’s actions and legacy. Engage in a debate to explore the differences between the two portrayals.
Imagine you are a journalist in the 11th century. Write a news article about Macbeth’s rise to power and his reign as king. Use historical facts to support your story, and include quotes from key figures of the time.
Create a timeline of the key events in both the play and the historical account of Macbeth’s life. Highlight the differences and similarities in the sequence of events. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how these events shaped Macbeth’s legacy.
Choose a scene from Shakespeare’s Macbeth and create an artistic representation of it. This could be a drawing, painting, or digital artwork. Include a brief explanation of the scene and how it relates to the historical events of Macbeth’s life.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. The tragedy of Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s shortest, darkest, and most action-packed plays. Although the majority of the events in the play are fictional, many of the characters are based on real people who played an important role in shaping Scotland as we know it today. Today on Nutty History, we’re going to tell you how bloody the real story of Macbeth was. But before we get into it all, be sure to subscribe for more fascinating stories from history.
The play Macbeth portrays its titular character as a paranoid king cursed with guilt, who kills anyone at the slightest hint of distrust or betrayal. His predecessor, King Duncan, is depicted as a benevolent and kind ruler who admires Macbeth like a son. In reality, it was quite the opposite. Yes, Macbeth was ambitious and won the kingdom of Moray and then the entirety of Scotland over the slain bodies of his enemies, but those enemies, including King Duncan, were killed on the battlefield without any deception or underhanded methods as portrayed by Shakespeare.
Macbeth’s nearly two-decade-long rule of Scotland is considered strong, stable, and progressive, contrary to how things unfold in the play. King Macbeth was also internationally recognized for his development of Scotland and for putting the country on the European diplomatic map.
11th-century Scotland was a patchwork of loosely connected kingdoms. One of the kings of these kingdoms was considered above all the others, much like in the game Skyrim—the high king. At the time of Macbeth’s birth, his maternal grandfather, King Malcolm II, was ruling Scotland. Malcolm II achieved the throne by repelling Norman and Viking raids and uniting the four kingdoms of the nation under him. This was the first time the entirety of Scotland was united.
When Malcolm II died of natural causes in 1034 A.D., he had no sons to pass down his crown. Instead, one of his grandsons and Macbeth’s cousin, Duncan, became the new king of all Scotland. Unlike his Shakespearean counterpart, real-life Duncan proved to be a disaster. He wasn’t a wise, strong, or competent ruler as Shakespeare portrayed him. In reality, young and naive Duncan’s thirst for power and lack of battlefield prowess turned out to be a dangerous combination.
His first mistake was to counter-attack Ealdred, Earl of Northumbria, who had attacked southern Scotland two years prior. Not long after that, he also attacked Orkney. This plunged Scotland into a series of unnecessary battles for the next six years, which did no good for the country or for Duncan’s popularity.
Macbeth’s father, Findlay, Earl of Moray, was murdered and overthrown by his cousin, Gillcomgain. The usurper Gill then married Scottish princess Gruoch, a descendant of Kenneth III, whom Malcolm II had overthrown to win the crown of Scotland. This was significant because it would give Gill’s descendants a legitimate claim to the high kingship of Scotland in the future.
Years later, Gillcomgain found himself mysteriously locked in a hall along with 50 of his closest followers, which was set on fire. As Gill and Gruoch’s son, Lulach, was too young to ascend the throne, Moray found its heir once again in Macbeth, who was now a grown adult. Macbeth also married Gill’s widow, which strengthened his political power—a shrewd move that Shakespeare’s Macbeth would have been proud of.
Macbeth was already ruling Moray when Duncan became the high king. As Duncan repeatedly proved he wasn’t great for ruling militarily, Macbeth saw the opportunity to take the throne for himself. However, he didn’t just walk over and slaughter Duncan in his bed. Instead, Macbeth formed an uneasy alliance with Thorfin, Earl of Orkney. They hated each other but teamed up, and their combined army defeated Duncan on August 14, 1040. King Duncan was killed during battle, clearing the path for Macbeth to become the new king of Scotland.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth ruled Scotland for only a short time, but the real Macbeth ruled prosperously and peacefully for almost 17 years. Duncan’s father, Crinan, tried to revolt against Macbeth, but the new high king dealt with it swiftly. During his rule, Macbeth enacted several good laws, many favoring women and orphaned children. After completing a successful decade of his peaceful reign, both King and Lady Macbeth, who was nearly as ruthless as Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, went on a pilgrimage to Rome for two years.
The fall of both real and fictional Macbeth happened for similar reasons—a strong union of his enemies. In the play, Macbeth’s paranoia drove his enemies together; in reality, it was all done for political opportunism. In 1054, the Earl of Northumbria invaded Scotland once more. As luck would have it, Malcolm II’s son, Duncan, gathered English lords to annex Scotland. Unfortunately for Macbeth, the first battle with Northumbrian forces ended inconclusively, and he had to retreat to regroup his army.
Over the next three years, Macbeth’s rule was constantly threatened by Sewald and Malcolm’s armies. Macbeth eventually ran out of luck in 1057 and was killed at the Battle of Lumphanan. His stepson, Lulach, ascended to the throne of the high king but failed to resist Malcolm III’s advances and was killed only seven months later.
While the play might not be exactly what happened, the real events are dramatic in their own right. What do you think? Which version do you prefer—history or fiction? Let us know in the comments, and if you’re looking for more incredible true stories behind insane events, subscribe to the Nutty History channel and let us know what you want to hear about next.
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This version maintains the essence of the original transcript while removing any inappropriate or unclear language.
Shakespeare – A famous English playwright and poet known for his works such as “Romeo and Juliet” and “Hamlet.” – William Shakespeare’s plays are still performed all over the world, showcasing his timeless storytelling and complex characters.
Macbeth – A tragedy play by William Shakespeare that tells the story of a Scottish general whose ambition leads to his downfall. – In “Macbeth,” the title character’s quest for power ultimately results in his tragic demise.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs. – Understanding the history of the Renaissance period helps students appreciate the cultural and artistic achievements of that era.
Scotland – A country in the United Kingdom, known for its rich history and cultural heritage. – The setting of “Macbeth” is primarily in Scotland, where the political intrigue and battles unfold.
King – A male monarch who is the head of a kingdom. – King Duncan is portrayed as a noble and benevolent ruler in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.”
Reign – The period during which a sovereign occupies the throne. – The reign of King Duncan is marked by peace and prosperity until Macbeth’s ambition disrupts it.
Ambition – A strong desire to achieve something, typically requiring determination and hard work. – Macbeth’s unchecked ambition leads him to commit regicide, setting off a chain of tragic events.
Duncan – A character in “Macbeth,” who is the King of Scotland at the play’s beginning. – The murder of King Duncan marks a turning point in the play, as Macbeth’s ambition spirals out of control.
Battles – Conflicts or fights between armed forces. – The battles in “Macbeth” reflect the chaos and disorder that ensue after Macbeth seizes the throne.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to achievements or reputation. – Shakespeare’s legacy includes a vast collection of plays and sonnets that continue to influence literature and theater today.
