There are many differences between the play that
Shakespeare wrote and the MacBeth who ruled Scotland almost a thousand years ago.
Modern sources suggest that Shakespeare's view of Scotland in 1044 is based on rumours and
the little historical fact that he would have known in 1600's. Nowadays, we have a clearer
picture of history.
Duncan I of Scotland was born in 1001. He became
King of Scotland at the age of thirty-three after killing his grandfather, Malcolm
II. He was a spoiled and over zealous young man whose reign was wrought with failed
campaigns and death for his people. To gain the respect of his people, Duncan
decided to invade Northumbria and attack Durman. The campaign was a disaster.
When he got back to Scotland, he was greeted by unhappy lords who later revolted.
His cousin, MacBeth, Lord of Moray, was one of the lords involved. MacBeth later
slew Duncan and seized the throne with his wife cousin, Gruach, at his side.
Duncan’s sons Malcolm and Donald Ban fled.
Malcolm went to England while Donald Ban went to Ireland. Both later returned and reigned as kings. Before Gruach married MacBeth, she had been the wife of Gillecomgain, one of Duncan’s sons. He and Malcolm had murdered MacBeth’s father in 1020. Gillecomgain and Gruach, the granddaughter of Kenneth III, had one son named Lulach.
(This could explain the line in the play when Lady Macbeth
states that she has known what it is to love a child, and yet the Macbeths appear to be
childless)
In 1027, Gruach had been widowed when her husband
(Gillecomgian) had been burned alive in his fortress with his men. At this point
MacBeth was appointed Lord of Moray, left open by Gillecomgain, and married Gruach. They
were married in 1033 when MacBeth was twenty-eight. MacBeth did much for Scotland in his
seventeen year reign. Under him, North and South Scotland were united. He
organised a military patrol that canvassed the entire country enforcing law and order.
In 1057, MacBeth’s reign was cut to an end. Malcolm
Canmore, which means “Big Head” in Gaelic, raised an army with the help of the
English and invaded his homeland. He defeated MacBeth and became King of Scotland
under the title Malcolm III, but not without a little trouble.
After MacBeth’s death, his stepson, Lulach, had a brief reign. He was assassinated in March 1058 after seven months of rule. Most believe that Malcolm and his associates played a major part in his death. Finally, Malcolm got what he wanted. At the age of twenty-seven, he was crowned King of Scotland.
In this context, the character of Macbeth does not seem quite so awful, does it ?
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