THE SOURCES OF THE PLOT Shakespeare derived his materials for Macbeth from Holinshed's Chronicle of England and Scotland, first published in 1577, and subsequently in 1587; the latter was in all probability the edition used by the poet. Holinshed's authority was Hector Boece, whose Scotorum Historia was first printed in 1526; Boece drew from the work of the Scotch historian Fordun, who lived in the fourteenth century. Shakespeare's indebtedness to Holinshed for the plot of the present play is not limited to the chapters dealing with Macbeth; certain details of the murder of Duncan belong to the murder of King Duffe, the great grandfather of Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare's most noteworthy departure from his original is to be found in his characterization of Banquo. The Macbeth of legend has been whitened by recent historians; and the Macbeth of history, according to Freeman, seems to have been quite a worthy monarh; (cp. Freeman's Norman Conquest, Skene's Celtic Scotland, etc.). Shakespeare, in all probability, took some hints from Scot's Discoverie of Witchcraft (1584) for his witch-lore. It should also be noted that King James, a profound beliver in witchcraft, published in 1599 his Demonologie, maintaining his belief against Scot's skepticism. In 1604 a statute was passed to suppress witches. There may have been other sources for the plot; possibly an older play existed on the subject of Macbeth; in Kempe's Nine Days' Wonder (1600) occur the following words: "I met a proper upright youth, only for a little stooping in the shoulders, all heart to the heel, a penny poet, whose first making was the miserable story of Macdoel, or Mac-dobeth, or Mac-somewhat," etc. Furthermore, a ballad (? a stage-play) on Macdobeth was registered in the year 1596. DURATION OF ACTION The Time of the play, as analyzed by Mr. P. A. Daniel (New Shakespeare Soc., 1877-79) is nine days represented on the stage, and intervals: Day 1. Act I, sc. i to iii. Day 2. Act I, sc. iv to vii. Day 3. Act II, sc. i to iv. An interval, say a couple of weeks. Day 4. Act III, sc. i to v. [Act III, sc. vi, an impossible time.] Day 5. Act IV, sc. i. Day 6. Act IV, sc. ii. An interval. Ross's journey to England. Day 7. Act IV, sc. iii, Act V, sc. 1. An interval. Malcolm's return to Scoland. Day 8. Act V, sc. ii and iii. SIWARD, earl of Northumberland, general of the English forces Young SIWARD, his son SEYTON, an officer attending on Macbeth Boy, son to Macduff An English Doctor A Scotch Doctor A Sergeant A Porter An Old Man Lady MACBETH Lady MACDUFF Gentlewoman attending on Lady Macbeth HECATE Three Witches Apparitions Lords, Gentlemen, Officers, Soldiers, Murderers, Attendants, and Messengers SCENE: Scotland; England SYNOPSIS By J. ELLIS BURDICK ACT I The Thane of Cawdor, who has rebelled against his king, Duncan of Scotland, is defeated by Macbeth and Banquo, two Scottish generals. Three witches meet the victorious generals on their return from the battle and greet Macbeth as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and he that shall be king of Scotland hereafter. To Banquo they promise that he shall be the father of kings, though he be not one himself. While Macbeth is still talking of these prophecies, messengers arrive from Duncan and address him by the king's order, and as a reward for his services, as Thane of Cawdor. As Macbeth is already Thane of Glamis, he begins to hope that he may one day be king of Scotland. He tells his desire to his wife and she plots the murder of Duncan, who comes on a visit to their castle. ACT II Macbeth, assisted by his wife, murders Duncan, laying the crime on the king's drunken guard. Malcolm and Donalbain, Duncan's sons, flee, the former to England and the latter to Ireland, and therefore they are believed to have suborned the servants to do the deed. Macbeth, as the next heir, is crowned king of Scotland at Scone. ACT III The three prophecies have been fulfilled for Macbeth and now he fears that what was promised Banquo may also come true, and that for Banquo's children has he mur |