An introduction to…

Macbeth is a dark, relentless tale of a good and brave Scottish general who, encouraged by the dark prophesies of three evil witches and by his own wife, murders Duncan, king of Scotland. Macbeth then becomes king and brings about his own destruction.

What to do: Read Bill Bryson’s chapter “In Search of William Shakespeare” from his book Shakespeare: The World as a Stage. Research questions on the internet. Answer the numbered questions in the presentation.

Why would I want to do this? To understand the historical background of Macbeth To reflect on the nature of ambition as a motivating force To discover “The Curse” of Macbeth To understand ambiguities surrounding Shakespeare, the man, after reading Bryson

1. Which images of Shakespeare are shown below. How do you know 1. Which images of Shakespeare are shown below? How do you know? Use Bryson to help answer this. A B C

The Curse!

2. What is the curse of Macbeth 2. What is the curse of Macbeth? Describe an example of something that happened as a result (ostensibly) of the curse of Macbeth.

Seriously relax, people…

Think, just think, about these questions. Why do you give into temptation? Are you a superstitious person? How do you personally decide what is good and what is evil? What is the difference between greed and ambition? Do you believe “you reap what you sow”? Do you believe our lives are lead by fate or our actions alone?

3. Pick one of the themes from the previous slide, and then do some “presearch”. After looking at a summary of the play, how do you imagine the theme is shown? Describe. Disclaimer: Shakespeare's plots are generally well known, so there are no spoilers.

Rate each statement on a scale of 1-10 Rate each statement on a scale of 1-10. 1 =disagree completely to 10 = agree wholeheartedly 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.

4. The previous statements relate to Lady Macbeth, as you will soon learn. Again, do some “presearch.” Describe Lady Macbeth. Anybody have Purell?

Macbeth: The Historical Background

There was no Tudor successor to the throne of England There was no Tudor successor to the throne of England. Therefore, Elizabeth I chose James VI of Scotland to succeed her. After her death in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England. Elizabeth I had been instrumental in the death of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, also the mother of James VI, who was beheaded. Oops.

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 was a good political move, unifying England and Scotland under one King.

Shakespeare wrote the play for James I, England's new king, who had been king of Scotland. To please James, Shakespeare set the play in Scotland, used many characters who were James' ancestors, and included witches, a subject that James had written about. The play is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, probably because King James often fell asleep during performances.

No.

Shakespeare's source for the story of Macbeth was The History and Chronicles of Scotland (1526), written by Hector Boece, a Scottish historian and humanist. Many scholars question the factual reliability of Boece's work, and point out that Shakespeare took liberties with Macbeth's history to jazz up the story.

Macbeth: a tribute to King James I 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 copious blood and murder, which the Elizabethans expected to see in a play.

History & Macbeth Macdonwald’s rebellion and 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.

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

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: The Characters

Macbeth: brave general under Duncan who becomes too ambitious after three witches prophesy that he will be King of Scotland. He turns to evil. 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.

Macduff: A general, believes that Macbeth killed the King Macduff: A general, believes that Macbeth killed the King. His family is murdered. Banquo: Macbeth’s friend and general, suspected Macbeth of killing the King. Fleance: Banquo’s son, who survives Macbeth’s attempt to murder him.

King Duncan: King of Scotland, murdered by Macbeth who was one of his generals whom he had just promoted. Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son, runs away to England after he learns of his father’s murder in order to escape the same fate.

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.

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: A 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.

The Murderers: A group of ruffians conscripted by Macbeth to murder.   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.