William Shakespeare’s MACBETH - An Introduction -

What pre-existing knowledge do you have of this play?

There is no such thing as fate. Our actions decide everything. TRUE or FALSE

Dreams CAN foretell the future. TRUE or FALSE

People who are striving to get AHEAD, MORE OFTEN than NOT, step on Others to get there. TRUE or FALSE

ONE Lie USUALLY LEADS TO ANOTHER. TRUE or FALSE

- Historical Background - MACBETH - Historical Background -

Duration of the Renaissance in England (1520 – 1620)‏   House of Tudor Henry VII (1485 – 1509)‏ Henry VIII (1509 – 1547) Tudor Period Edward VI (1547 – 1553)‏ Mary I (1553 – 1558)‏ Elizabeth I (1558 – 1603) Elizabethan Period House of Stuart James I (1603 – 1625) Jacobean Period Charles I (1625- 1649) Caroline Period

JAMES I of ENGLAND (A Stuart) Elizabeth I chose James VI of Scotland to succeed her (there was no Tudor successor). After her death in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. Elizabeth I was instrumental in the death of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, who was beheaded on her deathbed. Elizabeth wanted to ease her way into Heaven, so she chose Mary’s son James to become the next King of England. The appointment of James I helped unify England and Scotland under one King. JAMES I of ENGLAND (A Stuart)

Macbeth: A TRIBUTE TO King James I King James was a devout advocate of the “Divine Right of Kings.” The setting of the play is in Scotland, King James’s homeland. Banquo was an ancestor of James and is shown in the play to be a virtuous person. James believed himself to be an expert on witchcraft. James had an interest in faith healing. Macbeth: A TRIBUTE TO King James I

MACBETH: AN APPEAL TO ELIZABETHEAN INTERESTS Shakespeare demonstrated the Elizabethan belief that the country is stable only if the King is good and virtuous. Elizabethans believed that evil occurs in darkness, which is a recurring motif in Macbeth. Shakespeare included a lot of blood and murder, which the Elizabethans expected to see in a play. The play reflects an Elizabethean understanding of the universe that is rooted in “The Great Chain of Being.” MACBETH: AN APPEAL TO ELIZABETHEAN INTERESTS

Macdonwald’s rebellion & the invasion of Sweno took place at different times—Shakespeare combined them Duncan is supposed to have been killed by four hired servants—Shakespeare has Macbeth commit the murder History represents Banquo as equal in guilt with Macbeth—Shakespeare whitewashes Banquo’s character as a compliment to King James History makes no mention of Lady Macbeth—her character is almost wholly the creation of Shakespeare In history, Macbeth fled before Macduff—Shakespeare shows Macbeth bravely fighting Used Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, & Ireland as historical reference for his plays HISTORY & MACBETH:

BEFORE THE CURTAIN OPENS: When the play begins, there are two wars in progress: Civil War - King Duncan vs. Macdonwald’s rebels National War - Scotland, led by King Duncan, against invading Norway, led by King Sweno BEFORE THE CURTAIN OPENS:

SETTING: King Duncan is the King of Scotland. Edward the Confessor is the King of England. The time period is the eleventh century (1000-1099). Shakespeare used poetic license to bend some of the historical information. SETTING:

King Duncan: King of Scotland, murdered by Macbeth who was one of his generals whom he had just promoted. Macbeth: brave general under Duncan who becomes too ambitious after three witches prophesy that he will be King of Scotland. He turns to evil, killing the King, the guards, Banquo, and others. Lady Macbeth: vicious wife of Macbeth, even more ambitious than Macbeth. She convinces Macbeth to murder the King. Later, she becomes insane from her wrongdoings and sleepwalks. She dies. Macduff: general, believes that Macbeth killed the King. His family is murdered by Macbeth; he later kills Macbeth. CHARACTERS:

Banquo: Macbeth’s friend and general, suspected Macbeth of killing the King. He is killed by murderers sent by Macbeth, though his son escapes. Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son, runs away to England after he learns of his father’s murder in order to escape the same fate. Becomes King of Scotland at the end of the play. The three witches: They tell Macbeth that he is to become King, leading him to evil. They also tell him that he will be defeated, but they disguise it in a way as to give him false confidence.

Fleance: Banquo’s son, who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him Fleance: Banquo’s son, who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him. At the end of the play, Fleance’s whereabouts are unknown. Presumably, he may come to rule Scotland, fulfilling the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s sons will sit on the Scottish throne. Hecate: moon goddess and goddess of the witches, directs supernatural occurrences. Makes plan to give Macbeth false security. Donalbain: Duncan’s youngest son, runs away to Ireland after he learns of his father’s murder in order to escape the same fate Ross: Macduff’s cousin, messenger who carries news to people like Macbeth and Macduff throughout the play. Lennox: nobleman, suspicious of the murder of the king

Seyton: Macbeth’s lieutenant. Porter: watches Macbeth’s castle; when drunk, thought that he was the keeper of Hell’s Gates and that sinners were knocking at the door to be admitted. Old Siward: Earl of Northumberland, ally of Malcolm and Macduff against Macbeth. Young Siward: Old Siward’s son, killed by Macbeth in an encounter at the end of the play. The Murderers: A group of ruffians conscripted by Macbeth to murder Banquo, Fleance (whom they fail to kill), and Macduff’s wife and children.   Lady Macduff: Macduff’s wife. The scene in her castle provides our only glimpse of a domestic realm other than that of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. She and her home serve as contrasts to Lady Macbeth and the hellish world of Inverness.