Interesting theory by Josephine Tey about Richard III and the disappearance of the princes in the tower, his nephews: if Richard had had them killed, all he would have to do is produce the same smothered bodies: poor boys, dead of a fever, I really am king now.
Whereas, when Henry VII comes in with his army, he really should restore the elder prince to the throne, or produce a body, dead some time back. But he can’t do that; the princes disappear for good, and he marries their sister, and adds the boys’ murder to Richard’s indictment.
Imagine Shakespeare casting you as a villain. What a way to be remembered.
That is what happened to Macbeth.