Macbeth

Shakespeare’s Sources

Fact and Legend 11 th Century Scottish King was both Fact and Legend to Shakespeare However, he probably believed “Holinshed’s Chronicles of England” to be purely factual. He used the information freely in his own play (Plagarism? )

Holinshed’s Chronicles Contains an account of the meeting between Macbeth and the witches It also describes the slaying of King Duncan by Macbeth and his friends in anger over the naming of Malcom (the King’s son) as Duncan’s successor. Macbeth’s claim to the throne had some basis

Holinshed’s Chronicles (cont.) Holinshed indicates Banquo is Macbeth’s accomplice, not Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth, although important in Shakespeare’s play, not significant in “The Chronicles”

Tanistry A custom among various Celtic Tribes The king or chief of the clan was elected by family heads in full council. He held office for life and was required by custom to be of full age, in possession of all his faculties, and without any remarkable blemish of mind or body.

Tanistry (cont.) At the same time and subject to the same conditions, a tanist, or next heir to the chieftaincy, was elected, who, if the king died or became disqualified, at once became king. This system of succession left the headship open to the ambitious and was a frequent source of strife both in families and between the clans. Tanistry in Scotland was abolished by a legal decision in the reign of James I ( ) and the English system of primogeniture substituted (passing down wealth and land holdings through sons)

Macbeth’s Claim to the Throne Grandson of Scottish King Kenneth II Lady Macbeth was the grand-daughter of Kenneth III Duncan’s Grandfather became King after killing Kenneth III –Wanted to make sure Malcolm (his son) would become King, so he tried to kill his opponents. Failed-Macbeth lived and killed him

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Shaped “The Chronicle’s” into a tragic plot Put the encounter with the witches in the beginning to add a supernatural feel Changed it to make King Duncan an innocent victim Shakespeare’s Macbeth doesn’t have a legitimate claim to the throne

Shakespeare’s Macbeth (cont.) Used another story from “The Chronicles” as the basis of Lady Macbeth Replaces Banquo as co-conspirator in death of those killed

A Tribute to the King

Dangerous Plot Set in 11 th Century Scotland, but paralleled 17 th Century events in England –In 1605, Catholics attempted to seek revenge, and decided to blow up the King and Parliament –Guy Fawkes helped them rent a cellar below the house of Lords where they stored 36 barrels of explosives

The Plot Revealed A brother-in-law of a conspirator was warned by an anonymous letter Authorities arrested Guy Fawkes as he entered the cellar He, as well as several accomplices, were excecuted This discovery led to the continual persucution of Catholics Guy Fawkes day is still celebrated on November 5 th where images of him are burned in effigy

Sympathy for the King The play Macbeth capitalizes on the sympathy for the king after the plot Set in Scotland to pay tribute to James’ I ancestors, the Stuarts. Banquo was thought to be the father of the first Stuart King. James I also wrote a book about witches, so Shakespeare included them in the play.