The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 10.1454  Friday 20 August 1999.

From:           Carol Barton <
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Date:           Thursday, 19 Aug 1999 12:16:37 EDT
Subject:        The Scottish Tragedy

I have two questions on Macbeth on behalf of a colleague, if I may call
upon the expertise of those more sussed about the origins of the play
than I am.  They are as follows:

~~~~~~~~
I am an English teacher and I have a question regarding the history of
the real Macbeth.

In the play, it is stated that Banquo's heirs will sit on the throne of
Scotland.  "Your children shall be kings." (I;iii)  His only child
mentioned in the play is Fleance.  Is Fleance related to King James VI
of Scotland (King James I of England) and if so, how?

In Act IV;scene i, when the show of kings come out of the cauldron, the
first king is Robert II of Scotland.  Is he a direct descendant of
Fleance and if so, how?

I struggle with this reference every year and I have yet to get to the
bottom of it.  Can someone help me???

I am looking for an explanation to the "two-fold ball" reference and the
"treble sceptre" reference from Act Four;scene i of the play.  I know
the two-fold ball relates to France and Scotland, but what does this
have to do with Macbeth?  Also, I know that the treble sceptre relates
to England, Ireland and Scotland, but again, what does this have to do
with Macbeth?

Please help if you can.
~~~~~~

And thanks, from both of us!

Carol Barton