1. Shakespeare’s MACBETH Background & motifs

2. Background Written about 1605-1606 Probably first performed 1606; first recorded performance @ Globe in 1611 Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy (1993 lines) Based loosely on Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1577)

4. The Story Mac Bethad mac Findlaich, King of Scots 1040 – 1057 Killed Duncan I in battle in 1040 Married Kenneth III’s granddaughter Gruoch – strengthened claim to throne Killed Duncan I’s father Crinan in 1045 Good leader; encouraged Christianity, raided England Challenged by Siward, Earl of Northumbria, in 1054 – trying to put his nephew Malcolm (Duncan’s son) on the throne Malcolm (then becoming Malcolm III) killed Macbeth in 1057

5. King James I Took the throne in 1603 upon the death of Elizabeth I Was King of Scotland nearly since birth upon the abdication of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots Great patron of the arts; as a king, the “wisest fool in Christendom” Very paranoid and superstitious Claimed descent from Banquo, a Scottish thane – Shakespeare writes Banquo as a foil to Macbeth and includes a vision of Stuart royal line

6. Witches & Jesuits James I (as James VI of Scotland) wrote the Divine Right of Kings, decree of royal absolutism in 1597-1598 Gunpowder Plot of 1605 – foiled assassination attempt – disenfranchised Catholics planned to blow up Parliament James fascinated/horrified by witchcraft – wrote Daemonologie on witchcraft and witch hunting in 1597

7. Things to look for Nature in revolt Paradox (“fair is foul and foul is fair”) & equivocation Images of light and darkness (& blindness), blood, birds, hands The nature of kingship Manhood