Films and screenplays are often said to be based on a true story. William Shakespeare's Macbeth is an example of a screenplay that is purported to be based on a true story, but is actually just the names of historical figures used in an entirely new story. From the characters, setting, and events, they all seem to be completely fictional. William Shakespeare's Macbeth contradicts the historical account of the real people at Macbeth's time as king. Some examples of characters whose events in Macbeth and actual historical accounts are Macbeth, Malcolm, and the three witches. In Macbeth, Macbeth was a tyrant king and was despised by many, as shown in this quote: "Not in the legions / From the foul Hell can come a more damned devil / In evils that surpass Macbeth (55-57 Scene iii, Act 4 ).” While in historical accounts Macbeth was a true king who brought prosperity to Scotland, as shown in this excerpt: “For 17 years, life was peaceful and prosperous as Macbeth ruled with an even hand and encouraged the spread of Christianity (A&E television network). " This quote shows how good a man Macbeth truly was and not how Macbeth shows Macbeth was, a traitor king. The next character that Macbeth contradicts is Malcolm. In Macbeth, Malcolm is shown as one of the brave leaders who overthrew Macbeth, as shown in this quote: “Be comforted. /Let us make medicine for our great revenge, /To cure this mortal pain (213-215 Scene iii, Act 4).” But in the historical context he fought against Macbeth but with Siward, earl of Northumbria, instead of Macduff and fought against Macbeth to avenge Macbeth's defeat of his father, Duncan. These actions are shown in this quote: “Siward, earl of Northumbria, accompanied by Malcolm, led an army north into Scotland... middle of paper... however the elements did not hinder the play because it is widely considered one of Shakespeare 's best plays Deception and completely ignoring the truths can help improve a play or story because you can shape events to people's liking, but it can also help bury it in lies. Works Cited Macbeth Biography. A&E Networks Television, 1996-2013. Web. November 10, 2013. Taylor, Doreen. "The True Story of the Three Immortalized Witches" by William Shakespeare the Real Macbeth Please Stand Up?" Sff.net. SFF, 2007. Web. November 10, 2013. .Wiggins, Grant P. Prentice Hall Literature. New edition ed. NJ: Upper Saddle River, 2014. Print 12 Grade.