The Real Macbeth :: essays research papers fc

Say Macbeth and the first thing that comes to mind is probably the play by thefamous playwright, William Shakespeare. This classic story has vex a mainstay ofhigh school English literature classes around the world. However, few people genuinelyizethat there was a real king Macbeth who lived gigantic before the Shakespearean characterevolved. In fact, the only verity of historical truth in the play is power Duncans death atthe happen of Macbeth. The real Macbeth was non exactly as weak and unsuccessfulas Shakespeare portrayed him. The real Macbeth had reasons for murderingDuncan, had a successful sovereignty, and had a very different defeat.The real Macbeth was born a grandson of King Kenneth II who ruled from971-995. His father was Finlay McRory who was a Mormaer (lord) of Moray. His mothers name was Donada but it is unknown whether she was the daughter of King Kenneth II, Kenneth III, or Malcolm II. He married Grauch (Lady Macbeth), a descendant of King Kenneth III, who ruled from 997-1005. Lady Macbeth already hada son, Lulach, by a first marriage to some other Mormaer of Moray. Becoming king in eleventh century Scotland was not strictly hereditary. Therewas a practice called thanistry. This meant that nobleman chose kings from a largeselection of potential kings called thanes. In theory, thanistry should have worked. Butin practice, what often happened was that the strongest and most cunning of thethanists would rise to power. As a result, the best person did not necessarily engenderking because thanistry encourage open conflict as well as the assassination or reigningkings and other thanes (Scotland 4). But, the real Macbeths murder of KingDuncan I in 1040 in a battle, was seen more as a good move than as a catastrophe. Duncans rule in Scotland was not the golden age as described in ShakespearesMacbeth. In truth, Duncan was described by Arthur M. Gunn as an impetuous andspoiled young man whose six years of kingship brought glory neither to Scotland norhis family. (Famous Scots 2) This differed from the public fury that was scene inShakespeares Macbeth when innocent King Duncan was murdered in his sleep.Unlike, the Shakespeare Macbeth, the real Macbeth was a powerful andsuccessful king who ruled for seventeen years. He had enough power to leave on anexpedition to Rome in 1050 and then open to reign seven more years. That was aremarkable achievement in those times. Contrasting, Shakespeares Macbeth had avery unsuccessful monarchy. He is so caught up in his guilt that he doesnt have time