1. William Shakespeare

2. Life 1564-1616 England Poet, playwright, actor, and
owner of theater group
38 plays
154 sonnets
Marries Anne Hathaway and has three children
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men = first owned play group
Leading play company in London at the time
Favored by Queen Elizabeth and then King James

3. The Globe Theater Built their own theater on the River Thames
Built in 1599
3 story amphitheater
Can hold 3000
people in
stadium style
seating
Destroyed by a fire
in 1613

5. Play and acting information
In England, only men are permitted to be actors
Boys or very skinny men used to play women
Costumes were the most valuable asset
Cost of a show:
1 shilling to stand
2 shillings to sit in the balcony
1 shilling = 10% of weekly income

6. Macbeth

7. Background info First performed in 1611 Set in Scotland
Written for King James I (used to be king of Scotland, but became king of England)
Shakespeare did his research before writing
Was really a Macbeth in Scottish history (but the play is not accurate)
A character is an ancestor of King James I
Tragedy – the fall of a great man
Regicide – killing of your monarch or leader

8. Characters Duncan – King of Scotland
Malcolm & Donalbain – princes of Scotland

9. Macbeth – general of Duncan’s army
Lady Macbeth – Macbeth’s wife

10. Banquo – Another general in Duncan’s army
Fleance – Banquo’s son

11. Macduff – Thane of Fife
Lady Macduff – Macduff’s wife

12. Siward – Earl of Northumberland; General of English forces
Witches – tell people what will happen in the future

13. Famous Macbeth quotes
“Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it.”
“What's done is done.”
“Blood will have blood.”
“Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”
“Something wicked this way comes.”

14. The curse!
The play of Macbeth is cursed because it is said that Shakespeare used real spells from real witches.
Theater people do not say “Macbeth” while behind stage, only “the Scottish play” or “Mr. and Mrs. M” because horrible accidents have happened in the past