Making Connections
Macbeth is a tragedy by William Shakespeare in connection to King James I and VI through personal relations with the writer, which leads to the use of superstitious context in the play. The play also incorporates historical content through characters, and prophetic verses that relate to James I and IV in a non obvious manner. Sadly enough Shakespeare’s play contrasted with the actual lives of these characters, proves to have the issue of poor historical accuracy, which is evident when focusing on the lives of Macbeth and Duncan.
To begin with, the connection between King James I and VI and William Shakespeare all began when James became King of England, taking the name of James I. He had inherited the throne from his mother’s deceased cousin, Queen Elizabeth I, who had left no other heir. (King James I) During his reign, James was known to be fond of literature and as a result the kingdom flourished in reading and learning. He himself was a good writer and wrote a lot, which is why he is one of the most learned monarchs to ever sit on any thrown and was known as Britain’s ‘King Solomon’.
Therefore, it makes a lot of sense that William Shakespeare was one of the King’s most famous subjects. He was even a patron to Shakespeare’s troop, which was known as ‘The King’s Men’ (King James VI & I And Shakespeare’s Macbeth). However, the relationship was not a ‘one way street’(mine), Shakespeare returned that fondness as he was well interested in James, seeming how he used James as inspiration for his play Macbeth. You see, King James was also a very superstitious man, and as the story goes, he believed he had been the subject of a plot by three Scottish witches to shipwreck him by creating storms on the high seas ( Bloomfield) . In 1597 James even had written a book on spirits and witchcraft called ‘Daemononlogie’ (Duncan and Macbeth 2009); big in the Jacobethan times. Subsequently, in reference to Macbeth, it’s easy to see where the idea of the three witches came from, along with other ideas of superstition such as the ghost of Banquo.
As we move on to an equally interesting and important topic we’ll get a look at how historical content is projected through characters in this play, and how numerous prophetic scenes make evident their relationship to the all infamous James VI; covering on how he gained that title no less. You see, James’s reign had not began in the days of his England ruling, and had in fact stretched back to even earlier times, back to his heritage and his birth place, Scotland. His ruling of the Scots, began when he was only of the age of 13 months; such a young age was due to his mother Mary’s forced abdication of throne.
At any rate, the actual connection between the play Macbeth and James VI, begins with the belief that James VI was actually a descendent of Banquo (Banquo 2009); a character in Macbeth based on an actual historical being in Scotland. However, how they’re related is a confusing mess but it’s believed that Fleance; son of Banquo’s, descendent was Walter Stuart who married Margaret, the descendent of King David I; Malcolm’s son; Maclom being the son of Duncan, and became the father of King Robert II, the first Stuart king of Scotland and ancester of King James. The significant connection is clearly visible when knowing this information; keeping in mind Shakespeare’s fond interest in James VI rich family history. If we refer to quotes,
First Witch
Lesser than Macbeth, and greater.
Second Witch
Not so happy, yet much happier.
Third Witch
Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none:
So all hail, Macbeth and Banquo! (Act. I. iii.)
Which when translated into modern text states that Banquo will father kings that will reign after Macbeth’s downfall; relating directly to James VI being a descendent of Banquo. At the same time, in the play, the witches show banquo a ‘show of eight kings’ (Act.VI.i), which if you were to glance at the definition of ‘eight kings’ out of Macbeth, it refers to eight kings of Scotland, including James VI (Act.VI.i translation page.)
Finally, it is now time to cover how poor historically accurate the lives of Macbeth and Duncan are according to Shakespeare’s telling of them. Most importantly, we begin with the main characters’ personalities and personas that have been perceived in the play contrasted with reality. Firstly, Duncan is portrayed as a strong, wise and elderly king whereas in reality he was a young, weak and ineffective ruler. Duncan died in his twenties and was not the old man portrayed by Shakespeare in his play. As for Macbeth, in the play he has no legitimate claim to the throne, whereas in reality he actually had a respectable claim through his mother’s side; descended from Kenneth MacAlpin, a previous king of Scotland. Shakespeare had also given Macbeth the title of ‘Thane of Glamis’ but in fact Glamis was not known to even administer a ‘thane’ title in the 11th century. As for Macbeth’s reputation as king, Shakespeare made him look as if he was a terrible hated king, an evil man, everyone setting out to get him, when in all reality Macbeth was respected for his strong leadership qualities, and was a wise king who ruled successfully for 17 years.( Duncan I 2009 )
Thus concludes how exactly William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is related directly to James I of England and VI of Scotland through personal relations with the writer. Not to mention the incorporated historical content that found its inspiration through Jame’s rich family history. Once again pointing out the fact that Shakespeare did a poor job with the historical accuracy that was portrayed through the characters that he pulled from history.
References
• ”Banquo” 2009. http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Banquo
• Bloomfield , Jem. “The Witches in Macbeth”. (2007) Retrieved April 3,
2009 <http://shakespeare-tragedies.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_witches_in_macbeth#ixzz0BNAU25Mm
• “Duncan and Macbeth”. (2009). Retrieved April 9, 2009, from Historic-UK
Web site: http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Scotland-History/DuncanandMacbeth.htm
• “Duncan I” (2009). Retrieved April 9, 2009, from Gate Keep Key Web site:
http://gatekeepkey.org/ScotlandDuncanI_1013.htm
• Keating, Peter. “James I”(2003). Reader’s Guide. Retrieved April 7, 2009.
http://www.kipling.org.uk/rg_james_notes.htm
• ”King James I”(2008). 3 Apr 2009 <http://www.greatsite.com/timeline-
english-bible-history/king-james.html
• ”King James VI & I And Shakespeare’s MacBeth” (2009). Retrieved April
3, 2009 <http://www.jesus-is-lord.com/kjmacbet.htm>.
• Shakespeare, William (1992). Macbeth. 20 ed.
• Schulman, Arlene (2005). “Banquo’s progeny”. Retrieved April 8, 2009,
from AllExperts Web site: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Shakespeare-3004/Banquo-progeny.htm
