Macbeth, Historical Backround Notes

• "Macbeth" was written by William Shakespeare between 1603 and 1607

• James IV of Scotland, Shakespeare's patron, became James I of England in 1603

• May have been inspired by the real King Macbeth of Scotland, however the real Macbeth was an admired king while the play version was somewhat a tyrant.

• Side note: some people in the world of theatre believe the play is cursed and will not call it by name. They called it "The Scottish Play"

• Shakespeare heavily draws upon the Holinshed’s Chronicles of the History of England and Scotland, which give a detailed account of the real King Macbeth