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British Drama Jayatee Bhattacharya, Lovely Professional University

Notes Unit 9: Macbeth: History and its Impact

on 18th and 19th Century

CONTENTS
Objectives

Introduction
9.1 History of Macbeth

9.1.1 The Stage History of Macbeth

9.2 Summary
9.3 Keywords

9.4 Review Questions

9.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Illustrate the history of Macbeth;
• Elaborate the transformations, the Macbeth underwent ever since its first stage display;

• Enumerate the stage history of Macbeth;
• Explain the impact of Macbeth history on 18th and 19th century.

Introduction

The play Macbeth has immense historic interest, its incidents dating back to the days of Edward the
Confessor. There were sufficient materials for the drama in Holinshed’s Chronicles of Englande,
Scotlande, and Ireland, the first edition of which was issued in 1577, and the second in 1586-87. The
extracts from Holinshed in the notes will show that the main incidents are taken from his account of
two separate events—the murder of Duncan by Macbeth, and that of King Duffe, the great-
grandfather of Lady Macbeth, by Donwald. It will be seen, too, that Shakespeare has deviated in
other respects from the chronicle, especially in the character of Banquo. The following historical
description substantiate the historical impact of Macbeth during 18th and 19th century.
Duncan, by his mother Beatrice a grandson of Malcolm II, succeeded to the throne on his grandfather’s
death, in 1033: he reigned only six years. Macbeth, his near relation, also a grandchild of Malcolm
II, though by the mother’s side, was stirred up by ambition to contest the throne with the possessor.
The Lady of Macbeth also, whose real name was Graoch, had deadly injuries to avenge on the
reigning prince. She was the granddaughter of Kenneth IV, killed 1003, fighting against Malcolm II,
and other causes for revenge animated the mind of her who has been since painted as the sternest of
women. The old annalists add some instigations of a supernatural kind to the influence of a vindictive
woman over an ambitious husband. Three women, of more than human stature and beauty, appeared

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