- Donalbain (Macbeth)
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Donalbain Creator William Shakespeare Play Macbeth Date Uncertain, c.1603-1607 Source Holinshed's Chronicles Family King Duncan, father
Malcolm, elder brother
Macbeth, father's cousinRole Represents moral order Quote There's daggers in men's smiles. (2.3) See also Donald III of Scotland Donalbain (sometimes, Donaldbain) 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.[citation needed] He is based upon a personage in an account of King Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles, a history of Britain familiar to Shakespeare.[1] He is based on the historical Donald III of Scotland.
Contents
Origin
Shakespeare's Donalbain is based upon 'Donald Bane' in the account of King Duncan from Holinshed's Chronicles (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.[1] Holinshed's historical personage is Donald III of Scotland.
Role in the play
Donalbain appears in a few early scenes in the play as a silent member of his father's entourage. He speaks only in 2.3 when, after his father's murder, he decides to flee to Ireland. His brother decides to seek refuge in England. Donalbain tells Malcolm that their "separated fortune / Shall keep us both the safer." With his father and brother, Donalbain represents moral order in the play, and contributes to the father/son motif of the play.
References
External links
William Shakespeare's Macbeth Characters - Macbeth
- Lady Macbeth
- Banquo
- Macduff
- King Duncan
- Malcolm
- Donalbain
- Three Witches
- Fleance
- Lady Macduff
- Macduff's son
Scenes and speeches - Sleepwalking Scene (5.1)
- "Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow"
Literary adaptations - Wyrd Sisters
- The Third Witch
- The Tragedy of Macbeth Part II
Film and theatre adaptations - MacBird!
- MacHomer
- Throne of Blood
- Men of Respect
- Scotland, PA
- Maqbool
- Macbeth (opera)
- Macbeth (Bloch)
- uMabatha
- Sleep No More 2003 Punchdrunk Production
- Sleep No More (2009 play)
- Sleep No More (2011 play)
Macbeth on film Categories:- Fictional characters introduced in 1603
- Male Shakespearean characters
- Characters in Macbeth
- Fictional Scottish people
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