Macbeth Setting

Shakespeare wrote the play to take place in the 11th century. He read about Macbeth in a history book called The Chronicles of England and Ireland.

To remember The Chronicles of England and Ireland, use the following mnemonic:

You both have chronic back pain, I recommend a popsicle to you Mr. England and to you Mr. Ireland.

And the 11th century can be represented because the doctor gave two popsicles that then look like the number 11. 

Macbeth is based on the account of the reigns of Duncan and Macbeth in The Chronicles of Scotland. Shakespeare made some notable changes. In the chronicles, Banquo had actually played a part in assassinating King Duncan, but King James I was a direct descendant of Banquo and would not want to be faced with an ancestors part in murdering a King, especially since James I believed in the Divine Right of Kings.