The Tragedy of Macbeth: The Play vs. The History

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Recommended: Themes in Macbeth by Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Macbeth is written by William Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s works are collected and printed in various editions in the century following his death. Shakespeare’s Macbeth shocks and captivates readers for nearly four hundred years. The Tragedy of Macbeth is not a complex play but is filled with intense and powerful scenes. The historical version and the play version compare and contrast in many ways.

The setting of the play compared to the setting during the historical times are similar. Both the play, The Tragedy of Macbeth and the story of Macbeth in history take place in different locations in Scotland. The time is during the Middle Ages, precisely the eleventh century, from 1040-1057 (“Macbeth”).

The characters from the play compared to people of the historical version differ, but are also similar. One of the characters is Macbeth. In the play, Macbeth is a nobleman of Scotland and is possessed with the need of power. He becomes Thane of Glamis and Thane of Cawdor, but with the help of his wife, Lady Macbeth, he seizes the desire to become King of Scotland: “…This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing…” (Shakespeare 312; ll 9-11). Macbeth kills the king of Scotland, Duncan I, in his sleep: “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep’---the innocent sleep, Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care, The death of each day’s life…” (Shakespeare 323; ll 34-37). Macbeth then becomes King of Scotland after the death of King Duncan I. However, in the historical version Macbeth becomes King of Scotland with the help of the other noblemen that are displeased with King Duncan I. Macbeth symbolizes the nort...

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There are many comparisons and contrasts between the historical version and the play of The Tragedy of Macbeth. Shakespeare makes changes to the play to appeal to the audience of his time. Macbeth portrays a tragedy that has action, betrayal, death and desires. The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play that is recalled by those who read it.

Works Cited

Columbia University, Press. “Macbeth”. Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Edition (2011): 1. History Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.

Enclycopaedia, Britannica. “Macbeth”. Britannica Biographies (2010): 1. History Reference Center. EBSCO. Web. 31 Oct. 2011.

“Macbeth”. (n.d.): Funk & Wagnalls New World Encyclopedia Web. 31 Oct. 2011.

Shakespeare, William. The Tragedy of Macbeth. Elements of Literature: Sixth Course. Ed. Richard Sime. Austin: Holt, Rinchart, and Winston, 2000. pp. 302-382.

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