An Introduction to…

Agree/disagree 1. People who are striving to get ahead often step on other people. 2. Being powerful usually is the same thing as being happy. 3. One mistake can often lead to another. 4. Everyone is capable of murder under the right circumstances. 5. People who are involved in criminal activities can still feel love, fear, and concern for other people.

Macbeth-Historical Background Eleventh-Century (1000s) Scotland was a violent and troubled country. Feuding families and clans fought to control trade and territory. The castle was the power base of each rival war-lord (thane). Political murder and revenge killings were commonplace.

Macbeth-historical background 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 VI to become the next King of England. After Elizabeth’s death in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. The appointment of James I was a good political move, unifying England and Scotland under one King.

King James IV Was King of Scotland nearly since birth upon the abdication of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots Claimed descent from Banquo, a Scottish thane James I (as James VI of Scotland) wrote the Divine Right of Kings, decree of royal absolutism in 1597-1598 Gunpowder Plot of 1605 – foiled assassination attempt – disenfranchised Catholics planned to blow up Parliament

King James IV Great patron of the arts Very paranoid and superstitious-James fascinated/horrified by witchcraft – wrote Daemonologie on witchcraft and witch hunting in 1597

Macbeth – A tribute to King James Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606, during King James’ reign. King James was a devout advocate of the “Divine Right of Kings.” The setting is Scotland, King James’ 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: an appeal to Elizabethan people’s 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 theme in Macbeth. Shakespeare included a lot of blood and murder, which the Elizabethans expected to see in a play. The play was considered a thriller – a threat to an anointed King and the perceived evil behind the threat

Before the curtains open 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

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.

Macbeth - Characters Macbeth: brave general under Duncan who becomes too ambitious after three witches prophesy that he will be King of Scotland. Lady Macbeth: vicious wife of Macbeth, even more ambitious than Macbeth. She is manipulative and intelligent.

Macbeth - Characters King Duncan: King of Scotland, promotes Macbeth. Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son Donalbain: Duncan’s youngest son

Macbeth - Characters Banquo: Macbeth’s friend and general, suspicious of Macbeth. Macduff: general, also suspicious of Macbeth. Ross: Macduff’s cousin, messenger who carries news to people like Macbeth and Macduff throughout the play.

Macbeth - Characters Hecate: moon goddess and goddess of the witches, directs supernatural occurrences. Makes plan to give Macbeth false security. The three witches: They tell Macbeth that he is to become King. They give vague prophecies. Lennox: nobleman, suspicious of the murder of the king

Macbeth - Themes The corrupting power of unchecked ambition How does ambition corrupt characters? Namely, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Fate or Free Will Were events destined to happen (fate) or did characters set them in motion on their own (free will)? Kingship vs. Tyranny Who is a “king” and “tyrant” and why? What are ideal “kingly” characteristics? Gender Roles – Masculinity and Cruelty How does masculinity = cruelty? How do women play a role in violence?

Dynamic Character vs. Static Character: Macbeth - Vocabulary Soliloquy is a monologue. The character is alone onstage. It is a device the playwright uses to give the audience insight into the character’s thoughts and emotions. Aside: Character is speaking either to himself or directly to the audience. Gives the audience insight into the character. Tragic Hero: Literary character who makes a judgment error that inevitably leads to his/her own destruction. Dynamic Character vs. Static Character:

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