William Shakespeare's Macbeth

William Shakespeare's Macbeth Not only is Macbeth the main character in William Shakespeare's

Macbeth, but he is also one in the history of Scotland. Macbeth is

certainly not the only play with historical themes that is full of

inventions. Macbeth represents a human of ambition, guilt and most of

all, different degrees of loyalty as he takes on different roles.

Despite his deficiencies of proper values and "vaulting ambition,"

Macbeth is a character who seems infinitely real to audience members.

Shakespeare's version uses several similar characteristics and events

that the real Macbeth experienced. However, there are quite a few

modifications to the character of Macbeth and the incidents he

encounters. Shakespeare tends to choose what parts of history he

prefers, and alters them to create his edition of Macbeth as a family

member, a subject to the king, a king, a friend and as a person. By

changing and/or keeping parts of history, Macbeth's character becomes

an interesting one to analyse. Macbeth is a basically good man who is

troubled by his conscience and loyalty though at the same time

ambitious and murderous.

The Macbeth of Scottish history shares the same commitment to family

members, as does the Shakespeare's adaptation of the character.

History states that Macbeth's father Findlaech was killed by his

nephew, Gillacomgain. It is believed that Gillacomgain and fifty other

people were burned to death in retribution for the murder of

Findlaech, probably by Macbeth and other allies (Ed Friedlander, M.D,

www.pathguy.com/macbeth.htm). This loyalty shown towards his ...

... middle of paper ...

...ed and guilty.

Bibliography

"Enjoying "Macbeth" by William Shakespeare", (2002), Macbeth,

http://www.pathguy.com/macbeth.htm

"Holinshed vs. Shakespeare", (2000), Shakespeare vs. Holinshed,

http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/1906/benstuff.html

"Macbeth and Fate", (2002), Macbeth,

http://www.clicknotes.com/macbeth/Fate.html

"Macbeth - The truth behind the Shakespeare", (1999), Historical

Macbeth Myth, http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/macbeth.htm

"Macbeth: what is its relationship to Scottish history?", (2002),

Macbeth, http://www.shakespeare.com/faq/faq37.php

"To Strut and Fret Upon the Stage: Theatrical Interpretation of

Sources for Macbeth" (1999), Sources for Macbeth,

http://www.io.com/~jlockett/Grist/English/macbethsources.html

Shakespeare, W., (1967), Macbeth, Penguin Books, London