1. King James Shakespeare & Scotland Everything you need to know before you start Macbeth

2. England - 1603 *Queen Elizabeth I dies childless after a long and successful reign *She chooses her cousin, King James VI of Scotland, as her successor *James is proclaimed King James I

3. James VI (of Scotland) Became King of Scotland at 13 months Became King of Scotland at 13 months Raised as a Protestant, even though his mother was a Catholic Raised as a Protestant, even though his mother was a Catholic He was the last surviving relative of Elizabeth (she executed everyone else, including James’s mother, Mary Queen of Scots) He was the last surviving relative of Elizabeth (she executed everyone else, including James’s mother, Mary Queen of Scots)

4. James I (of England) Very intellectual King, publishing over 20 books during his lifetime Very intellectual King, publishing over 20 books during his lifetime Married a Protestant Danish princess Married a Protestant Danish princess Ruled over a country torn by religious disputes Ruled over a country torn by religious disputes

5. Interest in witchcraft North Berwick Butt Trial North Berwick Butt Trial –Several hundred men and women were accused and convicted of trying to sink the boat James sailed on with his wife on their return from Denmark Daemonology Daemonology –James’s own book on the signs and punishments of witchcraft

6. King James Bible Commissioned by James to satisfy his Protestant subjects Commissioned by James to satisfy his Protestant subjects Replaced all other English versions of the Bible Replaced all other English versions of the Bible Very beautiful and poetic language (some even by Shakespeare!) Very beautiful and poetic language (some even by Shakespeare!)

7. Shakespeare’s connection to King James Shakespeare belonged to the “King’s Men” theatre company Shakespeare belonged to the “King’s Men” theatre company Shakespeare wrote Macbeth to honor James’s Scottish heritage Shakespeare wrote Macbeth to honor James’s Scottish heritage Witches, Banquo, Gunpowder Plot Witches, Banquo, Gunpowder Plot

8. Shakespeare’s Theatre Before 1500s, the only kinds of plays in England were based on religion or morality Before 1500s, the only kinds of plays in England were based on religion or morality Shakespeare, Marlowe, Johnson, and others were creating a new kind of drama Shakespeare, Marlowe, Johnson, and others were creating a new kind of drama Interested in love, history, war, revenge – the human experience Interested in love, history, war, revenge – the human experience

9. Who went to the theatre? Scholars Scholars Noblemen and women Noblemen and women Merchants Merchants Peasants Peasants EVERYONE! EVERYONE!

10. Globe Theatre Shakespeare was a part owner Shakespeare was a part owner Octagonal (or 20-sided, depending on your research) Octagonal (or 20-sided, depending on your research) Open roof Open roof 3 levels and ground space 3 levels and ground space

11. The stage Balconies Balconies Trap door in stage Trap door in stage Some special effects (explosions, ghosts, flying?) Some special effects (explosions, ghosts, flying?) Actors very close to audience Actors very close to audience

12. Macbeth Theatre companies consider it bad luck, so it’s called “the Scottish play” Theatre companies consider it bad luck, so it’s called “the Scottish play” One of Shakespeare’s great tragedies One of Shakespeare’s great tragedies Some characters are real historical figures Some characters are real historical figures

13. The Story of Macbeth Macbeth was a real King of Scotland 1040-1057 Macbeth was a real King of Scotland 1040-1057 Other characters – Duncan, Malcolm, MacDuff, Lady Macbeth are real Other characters – Duncan, Malcolm, MacDuff, Lady Macbeth are real A thriller for audiences in 1600s A thriller for audiences in 1600s Deals with timeless human experiences such as ambition, guilt, revenge, loyalty, and betrayal Deals with timeless human experiences such as ambition, guilt, revenge, loyalty, and betrayal

15. Glamis Castle *most haunted castle in Scotland *Grey lady *Monster of Glamis *Room of Skulls *Devil’s poker game *setting of Macbeth