The Real Macbeth

Though having fantastical elements of magic, prophecy, and the supernatural, the namesake of the play and his bloody takeover of the crown of Scotland are very much real and steeped in rich and violent history. The real King Macbeth was assumed to have born around 1005 CE, and unlike the twisted, guilt-ridden figure we follow throughout the play, was seemingly a normal man of his time. Born in the region of Alba, historians from his time describe Macbeth during his youth as handsome, tall, and fair-haired with royal connections from birth (as it is probable he was the cousin of King Malcolm the Second). Before moving deeper into Macbeth’s life, it is prudent to analyse the socio-political state of the Scotland Macbeth would rule. By understanding this, we will not only gain more insight into the text’s purpose, but we will also learn just how realistic the violence Shakespeare demonstrates in the play truly is.