Different from the other serial killers’ stories is the story of Macbeth. Macbeth was born around 1005 in Alba in central Scotland. His father, Findlaech MacRuaridh, was mormaer of Moray in northern Scotland and his mother, Doada, was a daughter to Malcom II. Macbeth was sent to a Christian monastery and educated by monks when he was 7 years old. His father was killed by Malcolm and Gillecomgain when he was 15. Gillecomgain was killed by Malcolm II’s order in 1032 because he killed Findlaech. Macbeth was elected mormaer of moray and married Gillecomgain’s widow, Gruoch, and adopted her son. Malcolm II died on November 24, 1034, and Duncan MacCrinan, his son, was elected king a month later. Macbeth defeated Duncan and his army on August 14, …show more content…
He ruled and encouraged the spread of Christianity and life was prosperous and peaceful for 17 years. Several good laws were enacted by Macbeth including requiring officers of the court to defend women and orphans and another that allowed daughters the same rights to inheritance as sons. There was a rebellion by Duncan I’s supporters in 1045 and the earl of Nothumbria, Siward, attempted to dethrone Macbeth in 1046 (24). Earl Siward gave Duncan’s son Malcolm, who had fled to Northumbria after his father’s defeat, support and they led an army against Macbeth. They defeated him in the battle of Dunsinnan but Macbeth remained king until 1057 when he was killed trying to return to Moray which left Malcolm to become King of Scotland (25). Shakespeare’s play about Macbeth differs quite a bit from the real …show more content…
Another difference to note is that he does not have a son in the play. He starts off the play as a faithful and brave man but later becomes consumed with the guilt of his murders. Murders that he might not have committed if it weren’t for the influence of others. People such as the witches who told him prophecies of him becoming king and his wife who provided ways for him to make the prophecies true. When Macbeth first hears the prophecy, he questions if fate will make him king or if he must act, but when he tells Lady Macbeth of this, she encourages him to act. She told him to kill King Duncan so he could take his place, but Macbeth said he felt guilty because Duncan was a good man and deserved better. Eventually he does kill Duncan but immediately feels remorse, guilt, and even hallucinates. After Duncan’s murder, Macbeth kills the guards as to not have any witnesses. The he begins focusing on killing Banquo because the prophecy said that his sons would one day be kings. He persuades some assassins to kill Banquo and his son by blaming their problems on Banquo. The assassins manage to kill Banquo but his son, Fleance, escapes. Macbeth begins hallucinating about Banquo’s ghost, driving him insane. He then visits the witches again and finds out they were against him the whole time. He had Macduff’s family killed while Macduff was away but people found out and they