1. Macbeth An introduction to the play Angela Ivey

3. POOR KING JAMES James was taken from his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) shortly after birth James was taken from his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) shortly after birth Father murdered soon after (by his mom?) Father murdered soon after (by his mom?) His mom was forced from the throne of Scotland, imprisoned for 19 years in England ((by cousin Elizabeth), and finally beheaded (also by cousin Elizabeth) His mom was forced from the throne of Scotland, imprisoned for 19 years in England ((by cousin Elizabeth), and finally beheaded (also by cousin Elizabeth)

4. Things are looking up… James began ruling Scotland at age 19 James began ruling Scotland at age 19 Married Anne of Denmark Married Anne of Denmark Had 9 children Had 9 children Survived numerous assassination attempts Survived numerous assassination attempts In 1603, Elizabeth died without an heir and James IV of Scotland became— simultaneously—James I of England In 1603, Elizabeth died without an heir and James IV of Scotland became— simultaneously—James I of England

5. Helping the Bard… James was taken with Shakespeare’s plays. James was taken with Shakespeare’s plays. Gave Shakespeare and his company royal protection Gave Shakespeare and his company royal protection In 1606, he commissioned Shakespeare to write a play in honor of his brother-in-law, King Christian IV of Denmark, who came to visit. In 1606, he commissioned Shakespeare to write a play in honor of his brother-in-law, King Christian IV of Denmark, who came to visit.

6. Here Comes Trouble… James was fascinated by witchcraft and demons. James was fascinated by witchcraft and demons. He had written a book on demonology and was considered the foremost authority on the subject. He had written a book on demonology and was considered the foremost authority on the subject. With this in mind, Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, his only play including witches. With this in mind, Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, his only play including witches. What better “kiss up” than to write a play about the king’s favorite subject? What better “kiss up” than to write a play about the king’s favorite subject?

7. The Curse Begins… The plot of Macbeth is really a thinly disguised telling of the death of James’ father. The plot of Macbeth is really a thinly disguised telling of the death of James’ father. The witchcraft scenes are authentically detailed. Some say too authentic… The witchcraft scenes are authentically detailed. Some say too authentic… Some people believe that the incantations in the play are actual incantations which create a curse and that the curse is renewed each time the words are spoken. Some people believe that the incantations in the play are actual incantations which create a curse and that the curse is renewed each time the words are spoken.

8. Others say that the local witches were so angry at having their secrets revealed that they placed a perpetual curse on the play. Others say that the local witches were so angry at having their secrets revealed that they placed a perpetual curse on the play. For 400 years, the play has been surrounded by death and disaster. For 400 years, the play has been surrounded by death and disaster. It is said that bad luck will befall any actor who merely quotes from the play. It is said that bad luck will befall any actor who merely quotes from the play. In fact, the word “Macbeth” is NEVER uttered in a theatre. It is bad luck! In fact, the word “Macbeth” is NEVER uttered in a theatre. It is bad luck!

9. The Curse of Macbeth In the first production, the young man scehduled to play Lady Macbeth came down with a fever right before the performance. Some say he died. In the first production, the young man scehduled to play Lady Macbeth came down with a fever right before the performance. Some say he died. King James, horrified by the death scenes, banned perfromance for 5 years. King James, horrified by the death scenes, banned perfromance for 5 years. After the ban, the play was performed in the Globe. A few days later it burned to the ground. After the ban, the play was performed in the Globe. A few days later it burned to the ground.

10. Disaster Strikes! Early 1900’s: Prompter found dead in prompting box Early 1900’s: Prompter found dead in prompting box 1937: Old Vic theatre’s founder suddenly died of a heart attack just before the play opened. Laurence Olivier was almost killed when a sandbag fell from the rafters 1937: Old Vic theatre’s founder suddenly died of a heart attack just before the play opened. Laurence Olivier was almost killed when a sandbag fell from the rafters 1948: Actress playing Lady Macbeth fell 15 feet off the edge of the stage. 1948: Actress playing Lady Macbeth fell 15 feet off the edge of the stage. 1942: One of the witches died of a heart attack, “Duncan” died of a heart attack; Another witch died of a heart attack; set designer committed suicide…all in one production! 1942: One of the witches died of a heart attack, “Duncan” died of a heart attack; Another witch died of a heart attack; set designer committed suicide…all in one production! Russian version to be filmed in Georgia was canceled when 9 members of the crew died of food poisoning. Russian version to be filmed in Georgia was canceled when 9 members of the crew died of food poisoning. 1971: 7 burglaries, one fire during a 3 month run. 1971: 7 burglaries, one fire during a 3 month run.