Directions: Make sure to include all the notes provided including the background, characters, themes, words and definitions, etc.

Terminology: Common Wealth: England & Wales (later Ireland & Scotland) were ruled as a republic Renaissance: 14th-17thcenturies, transition from middle ages to modernity Printing Press: Humanism: emphasize value of individuals and society, critical thinking over superstition

Macbeth : a tribute to King James I Shakespeare wrote Macbeth 1606, during King James’ reign. King James was a devout advocate of “Divine Right of Kings.” The setting is Scotland, King James’ homeland. Banquo was an ancestor of James; virtuous character James believed himself to be an expert on witchcraft. James had an interest in faith healing.

A Tribute to the People Shakespeare show 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 – and alluded to the Gunpowder plot of 1605.

Characteristics of a Tragedy Tragic Hero-must be main character of high importance/ability/title extraordinary abilities Tragic Flaw that leads to their downfall; usually associated with HUBRIS (excessive pride) Macbeth’s tragic flaw is driven by AMBITION Antagonist-outside forces with whom the hero battles Causally related events lead to the hero to catastrophe Pitied by the audience after hero realizes their “OOPS” moment; see they’ve gone bad

Tragic Hero Def. “Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many” - Aristotle Macbeth is one of the most famous examples of the tragic hero.

Characters: Duncan, King of Scotland: an old, gracious, pious and gentle man, who resembles Lady Macbeth’s father in his sleep. Malcolm: is Duncan’s eldest son. Almost captured in the battle that rages at the beginning of the play, he is rescued by the captain. Donalbain: is Duncan’s second son. After his father’s murder, he suggests to Malcolm that they quickly leave Macbeth: is Thane of Glamis. A superb general, he is a physically powerful man, able in a fight to eviscerate a man with an upward stroke.  Banquo: is a Scottish Thane, Macbeth’s co-general in the wars.

Characters: Macduff: is the Thane of Fife. Commanded by Duncan to visit him early in the morning at Macbeth’s castle, he discovers the King’s body Fleance: Banquo’s son Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife, is a ruthless woman. More openly ambitious than her husband, she does not shy from murder, and pushes Macbeth towards it. Witches: make predictions regarding Macbeth and Banquo (becomes Macbeth’s obsession)