Altering Reality

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Recommended: Analysis macbeth as a tragedy

Not all fictional literary works are based on fictional events. In fact, many great works of literature are based on true life events, people, and places. One author who practices this method of writing is William Shakespeare. In Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Macbeth, many similarities and contrasts of historical accounts are used to fuel the drama’s storyline. This is very apparent amongst the play’s characters, events, and settings.

Shakespeare begins his historical references with the use of well-known historical characters. Two of the play’s main characters are two rivaling Scottish kings, Duncan I and Macbeth. Shakespeare does an excellent job in using contrasts of the actual kings, in The Tragedy of Macbeth. Shakespeare’s Duncan is a well-loved king. He is very kind to his fellow countrymen and is very gracious towards those of his men who Duncan feels have served him well in battle. He expresses this by granting Macbeth the title of Thane of Cawdor. “O worthiest cousin…Would thou hadst less deserved, That the portion both of thanks and payment might have been mine! Only I have left to say, More is thy due than more than all can pay” (Shakespeare 310; Act I Scene IV ll 14-21). Shakespeare’s Duncan is well-respected and a rightful king, while history’s Duncan is not. Duncan I, grandson of Malcolm II, is, by the hand of Malcolm II, made king of Scotland in violation of the system of succession. Upon Malcolm’s death Duncan takes the throne (“Duncan”). While ruling over Scotland, Duncan is a very malicious king, using military force to prove his authority over those below him. He also causes many loses in battle due to his poorly planned strategies (Duncan). The “real” Duncan is far from loved. Macbeth’s character is also expre...

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...1Duncan_1.

“Dunsinane.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Editon. Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/173861/Dunsinane.

“Ed. Richard Sime.” Elements of Literature: 6th Course. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2000 pp. 298-299.

Little, Jennifer. “Macbeth Characters.” Ed. Taro Kuriyama. Grade Saver. Grade Saver, 23 June 2008. Web. 5 November 2011.

http://www.gradesaver.com/macbeth/study-guide/character-list/.

“Macbeth.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica Online Academic Edition.

Encyclopedia Britannica Inc., 2011. Web. 05 Nov. 2011. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/353761/Macbeth.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Elements of Literature: 6th Course. Ed.

Richard Sime. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2000 pp. 302-382.

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