... have little to do with the personalities of the main characters. Shakespeare's motives for his major changes to Holinshed's tale of Macbeth were to flatter the king of England at the time, King James I. Shakespeare's source of information for the play was a source of misinformation. However, this could not have been proven by Shakespeare, and so no blame can be put on him for his ... that he had as much claim to the throne as Duncan, and even more than their successor, Malcolm Canmore. Thus Holinshed holds Macbeth's malevolent nature in check with that of his opponents by using history ...

• Word Count: 3181
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

... When Shakespeare came to write Macbeth, James I had just been crowned King James I of England and was already James VI of Scotland. The King had an interest in theatre and overlooked the contents of the play. He was also fascinated by witchcraft but hi hatred for witches was also well known. In 1590, it was alleged that a group of witches tried to kill ... believed that Banquo was an ancestor of the King. Therefore, in order to please the King, Shakespeare did not illustrate Banquo as an accomplice to the murder of Duncan, but placed full responsibility on Macbeth. When the audience fir...

• Word Count: 3194
• Approx Pages: 13
• Grade Level: High School

... by some witches in the first scene of the play. They talk amongst themselves and say that they will meet Macbeth after a battle. 1st Witch: Where the place? 2nd Witch: Upon the heath. 3rd Witch: There to meet with Macbeth" This first scene makes the reader think about whether Macbeth is evil and if he has made alliances with darkness. In Shakespeare ... 's time, when this play would be shown in the theatres, the audience would be confused at this first scene, because they knew Macbeth as a heroic ... are seen talking to each other, and bringing up many dark and evil spell-like phrases. ...

• Word Count: 2837
• Approx Pages: 11
• Grade Level: High School