The real Macbeth, not so villainous!
Macbeth, the villain of Shakespeare's famous play, was a real king of Scotland, and seems to have been quite a good one! His name means "son of life". Shakespeare is thought to have chosen to portray Macbeth as wicked to please his new king.
Born around 1005, Macbeth became Mormaer (a type of lord) of Moray in 1032 - possibly by killing the previous incumbent. Though hardly the act of a "good guy", this was pretty normal behaviour amongst the Scots nobility at the time. He then married the dead lord's wife, Gruoch.
In 1034 the King, Malcolm II, died. His grandson, Duncan, ascended the throne, apparently without opposition. Unlike Shakespeare's play, Duncan was a young man. Towards the end of his six-year reign, Duncan suffered a series of military defeats, including against the English. He then marched his army into Macbeth's territory and was killed by Macbeth's forces in battle.
Macbeth became King. His position was secure enough for him to leave his country to go on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1050.
His 17-year reign was mostly peaceful, although in 1054 he was faced with an English invasion, led by Siward, Earl of Northumbria, on behalf of Edward the Confessor. Macbeth was killed at the Battle of Lumphanan in 1057 by forces loyal to the future Malcolm III (son of Duncan). He was buried on Iona, the traditional resting place of Scottish kings. Near contemporary sources describe Macbeth favourably rather than as a tyrant.
Macbeth's stepson, Lulach (Gruoch's son) became the next king, but ruled for only a few months before also being killed by Malcolm III.
Shakespeare's famous play has ensured Macbeth's immortality, whilst blackening his character. It is thought that Shakespeare presented him as a villain to flatter his new king James I, who counted Banquo as one of his ancestors. Banquo's noble behaviour in the play is contrasted with Macbeth's villainy.
Further Reading
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