Hiking Highlight
Recommended by 177 out of 182 hikers
This is quite a striking building. It stands out in the streetscape. City hall.
February 8, 2023
In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Inverness Castle is the place where Macbeth murdered King Duncan and seized the crown. This is also where Macbeth is said to have gone mad, according to Shakespeare. Many key scenes take place in the castle, which no longer stands today. Malcolm is said to have avenged his father's death by destroying the castle in order to have a new complex built on this site. The castle seen today dates from 1836 and is an administrative center.
It was probably different than we think we knew. Yes, Macbeth murdered Duncan in 1040 at the Battle of Pitgaveney, a mile northeast of the town of Elgin. Incidentally, this was the first documented mention of it. In 11th century Scotland there was no hereditary system of succession to the throne; the kings were elected from within a group of those entitled to the throne. This often led to power struggles, with people punching and stabbing! Macbeth's father was also murdered, and it's very confusing if you read here and there.
But the change of power to Macbeth is said to have improved Scotland's situation, relative prosperity is said to have arisen and Macbeth's reign is said to have been characterized by peace and quiet. Macbeth and peace and quiet?
Macbeth is said to have united the warring parts of Scotland and established law and order. In short: Unlike his literary alter ego, he probably did not fall into madness; instead, chroniclers of Macbeth assess his reign as years of stability and peace for Scotland. Does this sound like the Macbeth we know?
The orderly conditions Scotland was in under Macbeth is perhaps shown by the fact that in 1050 he was able to undertake a pilgrimage of several months to Rome and upon his return found the country still peaceful.
The newspaper “Welt” headlines: “Macbeth was a good guy.” It was even discussed in Parliament in Edinburgh! "We regret that the successful reign of the real King Macbeth, 1040-1057, is cast in such a distorted light by Shakespeare, and join the call for deeper research into Scottish history from this period."
The fact that the historical Macbeth ruled so peacefully and stably that he could even risk a pilgrimage to Rome without fear of rebellion at home is no surprise. Shakespeare probably already knew that. So far so good.
August 2, 2023
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