religion as a moral message that shows that belief in such old traditions only brings about one's.
downfall. It is very unlikely that any of these theories will ever be proven true or false. Holinshed.
also dabbles in the fictitious when he depicts Macbeth's ascension to the throne. He paints.
Scotland as a land in which the Earls and Mormaers stood behind one another, as brothers-in-.
arms devoted to the safekeeping of the country. Behind this backdrop, Macbeth's regicide seems.
somewhat out of place, although it does not make as many assertions to the man's character as.
Shakespeare's portrayal of a cold-blooded murder. Holinshed's description of Macbeth's final.
decision to take the throne is as follows:.
The woords of the thréée weird sisters also (of whome before ye haue heard) greatlie.
incouraged him herevunto, but speciallie his wife lay sore vpon him to attempt the thing,.
as she that was verie ambitious, burning in vnquenchable desire to beare the name of a.
quééene.
(Holinshed, 269).
Martinson 3.
In reality, the change of kingship from Duncan to Macbeth was not spurred by any actions of an.
outside force, but by what is regarded by many as an invasion by Duncan. Duncan ventured into.
the province of Moray, where Macbeth ruled at the time, and the two did battle in the town of.
Elgin. Macbeth was victorious, and succeeded Duncan as king. Catherine Wells describes this.
very simply, and her depiction is as follows:.
.we find the two clashing near the town of Elgin, deep in the heart of northern Moray. .
Perhaps this was a routine "royal circuit" which the high king made through his.
provinces, and Macbeth took advantage of the opportunity to attack Duncan in his own.
territory. Whatever the circumstances, Duncan went up against Macbeth and lost. (Wells,.
2).
Succession through conquest is very commonplace in Scottish history, and reveals that Macbeth.
