Question

Using an example from Macbeth, explain Shakespeare's use of chronographing in Macbeth. I understand that chronographing is the study of past events but I don't understand how that relates to Macbeth.

Answer 1

Do you think maybe the question means that during the play some of the characters are referring to events in British history?

Many of Shakespeare's storylines reach back into British legend (borderline history!). Is something like that going on in Macbeth, do you think?

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&as_q=shakespeare+using+history+in+macbeth&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&num=10&lr=&as_filetype=&ft=i&as_sitesearch=&as_qdr=all&as_rights=&as_occt=any&cr=&as_nlo=&as_nhi=&safe=images

Answer 2

Here is a thought. One of the greatest works in recent years was War an Peace.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_and_Peace

Read that article, think on the Macbeth question as related to War and Peace. Then analyze Macbeth on the same issue of how past events shape the story and characters.