The murderous medieval king who inspired "Macbeth" - Benjamin Hudson

Key Concepts:

• Macbethad: The historical figure who was King of Scotland in the 11th century.
• Shakespeare's "Macbeth": A play inspired by historical accounts of Macbethad, but heavily fictionalized.
• Historical Accuracy vs. Storytelling: The understanding that medieval historians often prioritized moral and political narratives over strict factual accuracy.
• Cultural and Political Influences: The impact of contemporary events, beliefs, and rulers on historical accounts and artistic interpretations.
• Canmore Dynasty: The Scottish royal dynasty that Macbethad interrupted, often glorified in historical accounts.
• Stuarts: The Scottish royal dynasty that King James I belonged to, influencing Shakespeare's portrayal of Banquo.

1. Historical Basis of Macbeth:

• In 1040, Macbethad, a Scottish general, killed King Duncan and became king.
• In 1057, Duncan's son, Malcolm Canmore, defeated Macbethad.
• Subsequent historical accounts mention witches, prophecies, and armies using tree branches for camouflage.

2. Medieval Historians as Storytellers:

• Medieval historians were not objective observers but rather storytellers who crafted narratives.
• They combined details from various historical accounts to reflect cultural norms, moral positions, and royal politics.
• Example: John of Fordun (1380) glorified the Canmore dynasty and demonized Macbethad to instill Scottish pride during a war with England.

3. Evolution of Macbeth's Character:

• John of Fordun: Portrayed Macbethad as a villain who interrupted the Canmore dynasty.
• Andrew of Wyntoun: Depicted Macbethad as the devil's spawn, hallucinating and influenced by witches inspired by Norse mythology. He also introduced the detail of rebels camouflaging their attack with branches.
• Hector Boece: Presented Macbeth as a just ruler who descended into paranoia, possibly as a criticism of contemporary tyrannical kings like Henry VIII or Francis I.

4. Shakespeare's "Macbeth" and its Influences:

• Shakespeare's play was likely inspired by an altered version of Boece's account.
• King James I's influence:
  • James was a descendant of the Stuarts, so Shakespeare may have flattered him by giving Banquo (a supposed ancestor of the Stuarts) a bigger role and a prophecy that his descendants would take the throne.
  • James hated witchcraft, so Shakespeare might have exaggerated the supernatural elements to please the king or, alternatively, rebelled against the king's censorship of witchy plays.

5. Shakespeare's Unique Interpretation:

• Shakespeare's Macbeth is more tormented and confused than previous portrayals.
• The play explores questions of morality, the reality of the supernatural, and the extent of free will versus destiny.
• Shakespeare's Macbeth is seen as trying to determine his role in history, similar to those who wrote about the historical Macbethad.

6. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is a product of historical events, evolving narratives, and contemporary political and cultural influences. While based on the historical figure of Macbethad, the play is not a strictly accurate account but rather a reflection of the historical and cultural context in which it was written. Shakespeare's unique contribution lies in his exploration of Macbeth's internal struggles and the broader questions of morality, destiny, and the interpretation of history.