1. Macbeth Context

2. The Protestant Reformation
Martin Luther, a German monk, thought the Catholic Church was unfair and corrupt. (1557)
He believed the Bible should be produced in the vernacular (language or dialect spoken by ordinary people)
He believed that ‘forgiveness’ should not be sold by Priests and Monks
He believed people should be able to access and understand their religion.
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Think: do you agree or disagree with this idea? Why?

3. Religious conflict
Henry VIII did not initially agree with any of this and many Englishmen were burned at the stake for heresy if they helped spread Luther’s ideas or translated parts of the Bible.
However, in order to divorce Katherine of Aragon, Henry VIII created the Church of England (1533) which resulted in most of Luther’s suggestions taking place anyway.
Think: should you change the rules just to get what you want?
horrible histories religious switchover

4. Protestant vs catholic
Under Henry’s children Edward, Mary and Elizabeth, England’s religion changed from Protestant to Catholic and back. Punishments for heresy and witchcraft varied.
Heresy: opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system
Heresy: opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system

5. Witchcraft & torture
James I claimed the throne in In 1604 he pronounced that torture was necessary to elicit confessions from witches. Macbeth was written around James I was Shakespeare’s patron.
Shakespeare’s plays were performed in front of the monarch of the time, so he would have to be aware of the new King’s feelings on the topic of witchcraft.
James VI and I was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until his death.