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Quiz about The Real MacBeth
Quiz about The Real MacBeth

The Real MacBeth Trivia Quiz


'Macbeth' is one of Shakespeare's most well known plays. But how much do you know about the historical character made infamous by the Bard?

A multiple-choice quiz by alan03. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
alan03
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
156,476
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
855
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Pikoyboy (3/10), 1995Tarpon (10/10), mazza47 (3/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. In what year did Macbeth become King of Scots? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. MacBeth had a claim to the throne both in his own right and through his wife. Who was MacBeth's maternal grandfather from whom he derived his own claim? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What was the name of MacBeth's wife - the real Lady Macbeth? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Shakespeare's Macbeth was Thane of Cawdor. The real MacBeth, however, was a mormaer (an early Scottish equivalent of an earl). Of which area was he mormaer before becoming king? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Who was MacBeth's immediate predecessor as King? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which city did MacBeth visit in 1050? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Who challenged MacBeth for the throne from 1054 onwards? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. At what battle was MacBeth killed? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. How long was MacBeth's reign? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. MacBeth was succeeded as king by his eldest son?



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 22 2024 : Pikoyboy: 3/10
Mar 17 2024 : 1995Tarpon: 10/10
Mar 17 2024 : mazza47: 3/10
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quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. In what year did Macbeth become King of Scots?

Answer: 1040

Macbeth means 'Son of Life' in Gaelic.
2. MacBeth had a claim to the throne both in his own right and through his wife. Who was MacBeth's maternal grandfather from whom he derived his own claim?

Answer: Malcolm II

At the time the Scottish throne passed to the most able candidate on the death of the previous king provided that candidate had a father, grandfather or great-grandfather who had previously been king. This often made for a very bloody succession process. MacBeth's wife, Gruoch, was the grand-daughter of Kenneth III.

This in itself was not enough to secure MacBeth the throne but it did bolster his own claim.
3. What was the name of MacBeth's wife - the real Lady Macbeth?

Answer: Gruoch

Gruoch (or Grauch) is one of the first women recorded in Scottish history. Bethoc was the daughter of Malcolm II and the mother of Duncan I, Donada was her sister. Some sources site her as MacBeth's mother, some claim his mother was another, unnamed, sister. Donada does seem to have been the mother of the Norwegian Thorfinn Ravenfeeder, Earl of Orkney, which would make him either the cousin or the half-brother of MacBeth.
4. Shakespeare's Macbeth was Thane of Cawdor. The real MacBeth, however, was a mormaer (an early Scottish equivalent of an earl). Of which area was he mormaer before becoming king?

Answer: Moray

It was in Moray that MacBeth killed King Duncan in battle. MacBeth's father, Findlaech, had been Mormaer of Moray until he was violently overthrown by Gillacomgain, Gruoch's first husband. Gruoch married MacBeth after he overthrew Gillacomgain to seize Moray for himself. The mormaers were the lesser kings (ri) who elected the high king (ard righ).
5. Who was MacBeth's immediate predecessor as King?

Answer: Duncan I

The real Duncan was also very unlike the Shakespearean portayal. He was a young, impetuous king and not the wise old man of the play. He was not killed in bed but in battle against MacBeth's men of Moray.
6. Which city did MacBeth visit in 1050?

Answer: Rome

MacBeth clearly felt at this time that his kingdom was secure enough for him to make a pilgrammage to the Eternal City.
7. Who challenged MacBeth for the throne from 1054 onwards?

Answer: Malcolm mac Duncan

Malcolm was the eldest son of Duncan I. Often known as Malcolm Canmore (from the Gaelic 'Ceann Mor' meaning literally 'big head' but possibly meaning 'great chief'), he fought MacBeth for the throne with the aid of Earl Siward, defeating him at Lumphanan and finally winning control of the throne the following year, 1058.
8. At what battle was MacBeth killed?

Answer: Lumphanan

MacBeth did not die at Dunsinane as in Shakespeare's play but at Lumphanan in the north-east of Scotland in 1057.
9. How long was MacBeth's reign?

Answer: 17 years

MacBeth is considered to have been the second last of the kings of the House of Alpin (Malcolm III is considered the first of the House of Canmore). MacBeth's reign was one of the longest of any of the early Scottish kings.
10. MacBeth was succeeded as king by his eldest son?

Answer: False

MacBeth's stepson, Lulach (known as Lulach the Simple), succeeded him in 1057. In 1058 Lulach was killed in an ambush and Malcolm Canmore became Malcolm III. MacBeth is not known to have had any children of his own.
Source: Author alan03

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Lanni before going online.
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