Set in Scotland Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England) Queen of Denmark (James’s sister) was visiting Shakespeare researched The Chronicles - Banquo is an ancestor of King James I

Was there really a Macbeth? Yes! King Duncan and Macbeth interacted with each other in August 1040 The true story is much like the play presented by Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Macbeth It is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy Probably Written in 1606 Not part of the First Folio Not Shakespeare’s most complex tragedy, but it is powerful and intense. Helps cement James I’s claim to the throne.

Shakespeare’s traditional role Banquo’s bloody Ghost No lines—big part!

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

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

The Scottish Play 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

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. However, could John Proctor also be one?

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

Themes  Ambition  Power Corrupts  Good vs. Evil  Appearance vs. Reality  Natural vs. Unnatural

Symbols and Motifs  Blood  The Weather  The Supernatural  Violence  Prophecy  Sleep

Remember!! Color is very important in Macbeth! Red and black are the colors to watch!

The Witches Our modern ideas come from the witches in Macbeth Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. IV.i

Now, get ready for …