Macbeth “The Scottish Play” by William Shakespeare

Shakespeare Background Born 1564 Born 1564 Educated at Stratford Grammar School Educated at Stratford Grammar School Parents John, a glove maker, and Mary (Arden) Parents John, a glove maker, and Mary (Arden) Married Ann Hathaway when he was 18 and she 26 Married Ann Hathaway when he was 18 and she 26 Three children: Susanna, Judith and Hamnet Three children: Susanna, Judith and Hamnet

Shakespeare’s Grammar School in Stratford-Upon-Avon

Shakespeare Background Continued… Moved to London to be come an actor and playwright Moved to London to be come an actor and playwright During plague outbreaks, he wrote poetry. During plague outbreaks, he wrote poetry. In 1599 he built and became a partner in the Globe Theater. In 1599 he built and became a partner in the Globe Theater. He wrote 37 plays and 154 Sonnets He wrote 37 plays and 154 Sonnets Member of the Lord Chamberlin’s men which became the King’s men when Elizabeth the first died, and James the I took the throne. Member of the Lord Chamberlin’s men which became the King’s men when Elizabeth the first died, and James the I took the throne. Shakespeare died April 23, 1616 at the age of 52 Shakespeare died April 23, 1616 at the age of 52

Shakespeare’s Family Tree

Shakespeare’s Coat of Arms Motto: Not without reason

The Theater Only men were permitted to perform Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers

The Theater Continued… 1 shilling to stand 1 shilling to stand 2 shillings to sit in the balcony 2 shillings to sit in the balcony 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income Broadway Today: Broadway Today: $85 Orchestra $60 Balcony 10% of a middle- class salary

Set in Scotland Set in Scotland Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England) Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England) Shakespeare researched The Chronicles - Banquo is an ancestor of King James I Shakespeare researched The Chronicles - Banquo is an ancestor of King James I

Shakespeare's sources for the tragedy are the accounts of King Macbeth of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of England, Scotland and Ireland familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries. However, the story of Macbeth as told by Shakespeare bears no relation to real events in Scottish history as Macbeth was an admired and able monarch. Shakespeare's sources for the tragedy are the accounts of King Macbeth of Scotland, Macduff, and Duncan in Holinshed's Chronicles (1587), a history of England, Scotland and Ireland familiar to Shakespeare and his contemporaries. However, the story of Macbeth as told by Shakespeare bears no relation to real events in Scottish history as Macbeth was an admired and able monarch.King Macbeth of Scotland MacduffDuncanHolinshed's ChroniclesKing Macbeth of Scotland MacduffDuncanHolinshed's Chronicles Macbeth Continued…

King Duncan of Scotland King Duncan of Scotland Murdered by cousin Macbeth Murdered by cousin Macbeth Honest and good Honest and good Malcolm & Donalbain Malcolm & Donalbain Sons of the King Sons of the King Malcolm is the eldest son Malcolm is the eldest son Macbeth Macbeth Duncan’s most courageous general Duncan’s most courageous general Ambition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan Ambition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan

Banquo Banquo General and Macbeth’s best friend General and Macbeth’s best friend Suspects Macbeth in Duncan’s murder Suspects Macbeth in Duncan’s murder An actual ancestor of King James I An actual ancestor of King James I Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth As ambitious as her husband As ambitious as her husband A dark force behind his evil deeds A dark force behind his evil deeds Macduff Macduff Scottish general, suspects Macbeth of murdering the king Scottish general, suspects Macbeth of murdering the king Macbeth has his family murdered Macbeth has his family murdered Swears vengeance Swears vengeance

“The Scottish Play” It is believed to be bad luck to even squeak the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre It is believed to be bad luck to even squeak the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre Legend has it you will lose all your friends involved in the production-- horribly Legend has it you will lose all your friends involved in the production-- horribly

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

Macbeth in a nut shell… Good guy goes bad Good guy goes bad Guy wants power Guy wants power Married to a pushy control freak Married to a pushy control freak She wants power She wants power Kills people- LOTS of people Kills people- LOTS of people Gets power Gets power Gets paranoid (a.k.a. goes crazy) Gets paranoid (a.k.a. goes crazy) Ticks off a lot of people Ticks off a lot of people Want more power! Kill! Kill! Want more power! Kill! Kill! Gets what’s coming to him in the end Gets what’s coming to him in the end

Macbeth as performed by The Lord Chamberlin’s men~ Stratford-Upon- Avon 2005