Shakespeare’s Inspiration 1604

Pleasing King James Before becoming King of England, James was King of Scotland Before becoming King of England, James was King of Scotland Shakespeare sets Macbeth in the King’s hometown Shakespeare sets Macbeth in the King’s hometown Includes witchcraft Includes witchcraft Shortest play – King James disliked long plays Shortest play – King James disliked long plays

Macbeth: a Gunpowder play Themes: a dark world filled with… Themes: a dark world filled with… Conspiracy Conspiracy Witchcraft Witchcraft Betrayal Betrayal Uses code words to remind its audience of the Gunpowder Plot Uses code words to remind its audience of the Gunpowder Plot Equivocator - English Catholic Priests Equivocator - English Catholic Priests

Gunpowder Plot Macbeth was influenced by the Gunpowder plot Macbeth was influenced by the Gunpowder plot 1605 – conspirators planned to blow up the English Parliament when all its members and royal family were inside 1605 – conspirators planned to blow up the English Parliament when all its members and royal family were inside

Gunpowder Plot Cont… Under King James I… Under King James I… English Catholics hoped he would remove the ban of practicing Catholicism English Catholics hoped he would remove the ban of practicing Catholicism Instead, restrictions on Catholics were tightened Instead, restrictions on Catholics were tightened Fined if one skipped church Fined if one skipped church Continued refusal to participate in state religion resulted in jail sentences Continued refusal to participate in state religion resulted in jail sentences Ongoing persecution fueled the Gunpowder Plot Ongoing persecution fueled the Gunpowder Plot

Gunpowder Plot Cont… Before the plot would be carried out, King James came across a mysterious letter Before the plot would be carried out, King James came across a mysterious letter The letter warned the recipient to stay away from the House of Lords on November 5 th The letter warned the recipient to stay away from the House of Lords on November 5 th Guy Fawkes was then captured in the cellar waiting to ignite a barrel of gunpowder Guy Fawkes was then captured in the cellar waiting to ignite a barrel of gunpowder

Supernatural Influence It was revealed that the conspirators had participated in a Black Mass It was revealed that the conspirators had participated in a Black Mass A ceremony used to summon Satan A ceremony used to summon Satan This intrigued King James, who was fascinated with witchcraft This intrigued King James, who was fascinated with witchcraft Interest in witchcraft began when Scottish witches confessed to plotting his death Interest in witchcraft began when Scottish witches confessed to plotting his death

Supernatural Influence Cont… James questioned the witches and several other cases James questioned the witches and several other cases He would later write a book entitled Daemonologie He would later write a book entitled Daemonologie

The Real Macbeth Macbeth ruled Scotland from 1040 – 1057 Macbeth ruled Scotland from 1040 – 1057 Good ruler Good ruler People were well off People were well off Ended a long conflict between Scottish Church and the Pope Ended a long conflict between Scottish Church and the Pope

The Real Macbeth Cont… Macbeth did kill Duncan Macbeth did kill Duncan Duncan ruled for six years and was a horrible king Duncan ruled for six years and was a horrible king Duncan was cruel and aggressive and caused people great suffering Duncan was cruel and aggressive and caused people great suffering When Macbeth defeated Duncan and took the thrown, people expected better times When Macbeth defeated Duncan and took the thrown, people expected better times

The Real Macbeth Cont… Macbeth is killed by Malcolm Macbeth is killed by Malcolm Duncan’s family permanently takes the thrown and wants their named honored Duncan’s family permanently takes the thrown and wants their named honored People were not to say any kind words about Macbeth People were not to say any kind words about Macbeth King James traced his lineage to Duncan – Banquo is a relative, too! King James traced his lineage to Duncan – Banquo is a relative, too! Shakespeare takes a decent ruler and demonizes him (Perhaps to make the King happy) Shakespeare takes a decent ruler and demonizes him (Perhaps to make the King happy)

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Macbeth is the most famous example of a Tragic Hero Macbeth is the most famous example of a Tragic Hero “A man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many.” – Aristotle “A man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many.” – Aristotle Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts) There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts) The colors RED and BLACK are important watch The colors RED and BLACK are important watch

Cast of Characters Duncan: Duncan: A good and honest but politically naïve King of Scotland A good and honest but politically naïve King of Scotland Macbeth: Macbeth: One of Duncan’s most courageous generals One of Duncan’s most courageous generals Driving ambition is to become King of Scotland Driving ambition is to become King of Scotland

Cast of Characters Lady Macbeth: Lady Macbeth: As ambitious as her husband Banquo: Banquo: A general in Duncan’s Army Macbeth’s closest friend

Cast of Characters Macduff: Macduff: Scottish general who strongly suspects Macbeth of murder Scottish general who strongly suspects Macbeth of murder Malcolm: Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son Duncan’s eldest son Donalbain: Donalbain: Duncan’s youngest son Duncan’s youngest son

Cast of Characters Lennox: Lennox: One of Duncan’s nobles, an observer to the play One of Duncan’s nobles, an observer to the play Ross: Ross: Macduff’s cousin, acts as a messenger Macduff’s cousin, acts as a messenger Old Siward: Old Siward: Earl of Northumberlan, ally of Malcolm and Macduff Earl of Northumberlan, ally of Malcolm and Macduff

Cast of Characters Young Siward: Young Siward: Siward’s son Siward’s son Fleance Fleance Son of Banquo Son of Banquo Seyton: Seyton: Macbeth’s lieutenant Macbeth’s lieutenant Porter Porter Keeper of Macbeth’s castle, drunkenly imagines that he is the keeper of Hell’s Gate Keeper of Macbeth’s castle, drunkenly imagines that he is the keeper of Hell’s Gate

Cast of Characters Hecate: Hecate: Queen of the witches, controls all nocturnal horrors Queen of the witches, controls all nocturnal horrors Three Witches: Three Witches: Supernatural agents of fate who predict the future (prophesize) Supernatural agents of fate who predict the future (prophesize) Who is controlling whom?

Curse of Macbeth Macbeth is surrounded with “bad luck” Macbeth is surrounded with “bad luck” Many actors have been injured while playing Macbeth Many actors have been injured while playing Macbeth Could it be the witches? That’s what some believe! Could it be the witches? That’s what some believe! Just to be safe, refer to Macbeth only as “The Scottish Play”! Just to be safe, refer to Macbeth only as “The Scottish Play”!