Donalbain (Macbeth)
Encyclopedia
Donalbain is a character in Shakespeare's Macbeth
(c.1603-1607). He is the younger son of King Duncan
and brother to Malcolm, the heir to the throne. Donalbain flees Scotland after the murder of his father for refuge in Ireland. The character is minor, has few lines, and is sometimes completely cut in modern performance. He is based upon a personage in an account of King Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles
, a history of Britain familiar to Shakespeare. He is based on the historical Donald III of Scotland
.
(1587). There, he makes his only appearance in the narrative after King Duncan is murdered. He then decides to seek refuge in Ireland where, the reader is informed, he was "cherished by the king of that land." After his departure, Macbeth uses "great liberality" toward the Scottish nobles in order to gain their favour, and rules capably for ten years before being defeated by Malcolm and his English forces. Holinshed's historical personage is Donald III of Scotland
.
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
(c.1603-1607). He is the younger son of King Duncan
King Duncan
King Duncan is a fictional character in Shakespeare's Macbeth. He is the father of two youthful sons , and the victim of a well-plotted regicide in a power grab by his trusted captain Macbeth...
and brother to Malcolm, the heir to the throne. Donalbain flees Scotland after the murder of his father for refuge in Ireland. The character is minor, has few lines, and is sometimes completely cut in modern performance. He is based upon a personage in an account of King Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles
Holinshed's Chronicles
Holinshed's Chronicles, also known as Holinsheds Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, is a collaborative work published in several volumes and two editions, the first in 1577, and the second in 1587....
, a history of Britain familiar to Shakespeare. He is based on the historical Donald III of Scotland
Donald III of Scotland
Domnall mac Donnchada , anglicised as Donald III, and nicknamed Domnall Bán, "Donald the Fair" , was King of Scots from 1093–1094 and 1094–1097...
.
Origin
Shakespeare's Donalbain is based upon 'Donald Bane' in the account of King Duncan from Holinshed's ChroniclesHolinshed's Chronicles
Holinshed's Chronicles, also known as Holinsheds Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland, is a collaborative work published in several volumes and two editions, the first in 1577, and the second in 1587....
(1587). There, he makes his only appearance in the narrative after King Duncan is murdered. He then decides to seek refuge in Ireland where, the reader is informed, he was "cherished by the king of that land." After his departure, Macbeth uses "great liberality" toward the Scottish nobles in order to gain their favour, and rules capably for ten years before being defeated by Malcolm and his English forces. Holinshed's historical personage is Donald III of Scotland
Donald III of Scotland
Domnall mac Donnchada , anglicised as Donald III, and nicknamed Domnall Bán, "Donald the Fair" , was King of Scots from 1093–1094 and 1094–1097...
.