10 Surprising Facts About Macbeth

🔮The rivalry between two actors resulted in the Astra Place Riot of 1849.

🎭Speaking the name 'Macbeth' in a theater is considered bad luck, leading actors to refer to it as the Scottish play.

👑Macbeth was based on the historical King Macbeth of Scotland, who was killed by Malcolm, Duncan's son.

🦁The character Banquo is loosely based on King James I's claim that he was descended from Banquo, a friend of the real Macbeth.

⏰Macbeth is a relatively short play, with an estimated performance time of two and a half hours.

Why do actors call Macbeth the Scottish play?

—Actors believe that saying the name 'Macbeth' inside a theater brings bad luck, so they refer to it as the Scottish play instead.

Who was the real Macbeth?

—Macbeth was the King of Scotland in the mid-1500s. He ruled for 14 years before being killed by Malcolm, Duncan's son.

Is Macbeth a long play?

—No, Macbeth is a relatively short play, with a performance time of about two and a half hours.

Who was Banquo based on?

—Banquo is loosely based on a person named Banquo, who was a friend of the real Macbeth. King James I claimed to be descended from Banquo.

What are some interesting facts about Macbeth?

—Some interesting facts about Macbeth include rivalries between actors, the belief in a curse, and historical inspirations for the characters.

00:18The Astra Place Riot of 1849 was caused by a rivalry between two actors performing Macbeth in New York City.

00:42Actors avoid saying the name 'Macbeth' inside a theater and instead refer to it as the Scottish play due to the belief in a curse.

01:03Macbeth was a historical king of Scotland, ruling peacefully for 14 years before being killed by Malcolm, Duncan's son.

01:31The character Banquo in Macbeth is based on a real person, and King James I claimed to be descended from Banquo.

01:45Macbeth is a relatively short play, with a performance time of about two and a half hours.

02:03The representation of witchcraft in Macbeth aligns with the beliefs expressed by King James I in his book Demonology.

02:26Shakespeare includes a reference to a rhinoceros in Macbeth, borrowing it from fellow playwright John Dennis.

03:06The film 'Scotland, PA' offers a modern twist on Macbeth, with the main character being a fast-food employee.