2. Directions:
Make sure to include all the notes provided including the background, characters, themes, words and definitions, etc.

3. Terminology:
Common Wealth: England & Wales (later Ireland & Scotland) were ruled as a republic
Renaissance: 14th-17thcenturies, transition from middle ages to modernity
Printing Press:
Humanism: emphasize value of individuals and society, critical thinking over superstition

4. Macbeth : a tribute to King James I
Shakespeare wrote Macbeth 1606, during King James’ reign.
King James was a devout advocate of “Divine Right of Kings.”
The setting is Scotland, King James’ homeland.
Banquo was an ancestor of James; virtuous character
James believed himself to be an expert on witchcraft.
James had an interest in faith healing.

5. A Tribute to the People
Shakespeare show Elizabethan belief that the country is stable only if the King is good and virtuous.
Elizabethans believed that evil occurs in darkness, which is a recurring theme in Macbeth.
Shakespeare included a lot of blood and murder, which the Elizabethans expected to see in a play.
The play was considered a thriller – a threat to an anointed King and the perceived evil behind the threat – and alluded to the Gunpowder plot of 1605.

6. Characteristics of a Tragedy
Tragic Hero-must be main character of high importance/ability/title
extraordinary abilities
Tragic Flaw that leads to their downfall; usually associated with HUBRIS (excessive pride)
Macbeth’s tragic flaw is driven by AMBITION
Antagonist-outside forces with whom the hero battles
Causally related events lead to the hero to catastrophe
Pitied by the audience after hero realizes their “OOPS” moment; see they’ve gone bad

7. Tragic Hero
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.

8. Characters:
Duncan, King of Scotland: an old, gracious, pious and gentle man, who resembles Lady Macbeth’s father in his sleep.
Malcolm: is Duncan’s eldest son. Almost captured in the battle that rages at the beginning of the play, he is rescued by the captain.
Donalbain: is Duncan’s second son. After his father’s murder, he suggests to Malcolm that they quickly leave
Macbeth: is Thane of Glamis. A superb general, he is a physically powerful man, able in a fight to eviscerate a man with an upward stroke. 
Banquo: is a Scottish Thane, Macbeth’s co-general in the wars.

9. Characters:
Macduff: is the Thane of Fife. Commanded by Duncan to visit him early in the morning at Macbeth’s castle, he discovers the King’s body
Fleance: Banquo’s son
Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife, is a ruthless woman. More openly ambitious than her husband, she does not shy from murder, and pushes Macbeth towards it.
Witches: make predictions regarding Macbeth and Banquo (becomes Macbeth’s obsession)