Setting

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Setting

 ‘Macbeth’ is set in Scotland in the 11th century. The play is loosely based on events concerning the real Macbeth who was king of Scotland for 17 years from 1040–57. Shakespeare read about Macbeth in a history book called The Chronicles of England and Ireland by Raphael Holinshed, using stories from the book and adding ideas of his own. He perhaps changed some details to avoid upsetting King James I as Banquo had actually played a part in the assassination of King Duncan, but King James I was a direct descendant of Banquo and would not want to be faced with his ancestor’s part in murdering a king, especially since King James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings.