1. Macbeth Cyr’s Summary

2. The Play Macbeth Interesting Factoids Believed to be Shakespeare's darkest play Shakespeare’s shortest play Underground rocker and former The Velvet Underground member John Cale wrote a darkly lyrical song entitled “Macbeth.” Based on real people and SOME real events In 2008, magician Teller (of Penn & Teller) co-directed Macbeth at Folger Theatre with Aaron Posner. The directors incorporated the play’s magic and illusions into a “supernatural horror thriller” production. Many television episodes, movies, and songs are based on Macbeth.

3. Background Perhaps written for King James I – King James I was a writer himself – King James I was from Scotland – King James I was reportedly a fan of theater, but not loooong plays (Macbeth is Shakespeare’s shortest play) – King James I was supposedly a direct descendant of Banquo (“your sons will become kings”) – King James I was intrigued with witches and witchcraft

4. Real People Macbeth Duncan Malcolm Donald Ban (Donalbain) Banquo Macdonalwald Banquo Siward Young Siward (did die at the hands of Macbeth) Lady Macbeth (Gruach) Macduff

5. Tragedy A literary work depicting serious events in which the main character, who is usually high- ranking and dignified, comes to an unhappy end. Human actions have inevitable consequences An ill judged action will lead to a catastrophe

6. Shakespearean Tragedy The fatal flaw. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes are all fundamentally flawed. It is this weakness that ultimately leads to their downfall. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. The Shakespeare tragedies often focus on the fall of a nobleman. By presenting the audience with a man with excessive wealth or power, his eventual downfall fall is all the more tragic. External pressures. Shakespeare’s tragic heroes often fall victim to external pressures. Fate, evil spirits and manipulative characters all play a hand in the hero’s downfall.

7. Themes The Consequences of Actions The Corruption of Power and Ambition The Connection between Cruelty and Masculinity The Difference between Kingship and Tyranny Fate vs. Free Will Distorted/Different views of Reality The Supernatural and its Power Guilt and Remorse Natural vs. Unnatural Gender Roles

8. Famous Lines Fair is foul, and foul is fair… – Witches—1.1.12 So foul and fair a day I have not seen. – Macbeth—1.3.39 Come you spirits/That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here... – Lady Macbeth—1.5.47–48 Yet I do fear thy nature; It is too full o’ th’ milk of human kindness… – Lady Macbeth—1.5.47–48 The be-all and the end-all here. – Macbeth—1.7.5 Is this a dagger which I see before me,/The handle toward my hand? – Macbeth—2.1.44–45 It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood. – Macbeth—3.4.151 Double, double toil and trouble;/Fire burn, and cauldron bubble. – Witches—4.1.10–11 At one fell swoop? – Macduff—4.3.258 Out, damned spot, out, I say! – Lady Macbeth—5.1.37 What’s done cannot be undone. – Lady Macbeth - 5.1.7 Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow… – Macbeth—5.5.22

9. Soliloquy a speech in which a character reveals his thoughts to the audience but not to other characters in the play http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVs7XrTv1 YM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVs7XrTv1 YM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x0T_1tLp i4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x0T_1tLp i4