When was the play Macbeth set?

The exact time period in which Shakespeare set Macbeth is unclear, but scholars generally believe that it takes place in the 11th century, during the reign of King Duncan I of Scotland. The timeframe of the play aligns with actual historical events that took place during Duncan's rule, such as his murder in 1040 and the subsequent rise of Macbeth to the throne. However, Shakespeare took creative liberties with the characters and events, fictionalizing many aspects of the story for dramatic effect.