Blog macbeth background (revised)

An introduction to…

ObjectiveTo understand the historical background of MacbethTo reflect on the nature of ambition as a motivating forceTo discover “The Curse” of Macbeth

Do Now- Answer the following: Have you ever given in to temptation?Are you a superstitious person? Explain.How do you personally decide what is good and what is evil?What is the difference between greed and ambition?Do you believe “you reap what you sow”? Do you believe our lives are lead by fate or our actions alone?

Rate each statement on a scale of 1-10.1 =disagree completely to 10 = agree wholeheartedly

Be prepared to explain your reasoning.

1. People who are striving to get ahead often step on other people.

2. Being powerful usually is the same thing as being happy.

3. One mistake can often lead to another.

4. Everyone is capable of murder under the right circumstances.

5. People who are involved in criminal activities can still feel love, fear, and concern for other people.

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for James I, England's new king, who had been king of Scotland. To please James, Shakespeare set the play in Scotland, used many characters who were James' ancestors, and included witches, a subject that James had written about. The play is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy, probably because King James often fell asleep during performances.

Shakespeare's source for the story of Macbeth was The History and Chronicles of Scotland (1526), written by Hector Boece, a Scottish historian and humanist. (Many scholars question the factual reliability of Boece's work, and point out that Shakespeare took liberties with Macbeth's history for dramatic purposes.)

MacbethMacbeth: : The HistoricalThe Historical BackgroundBackground

The King of England in 1606 was James I, a Stuart.

There was no Tudor successor to the throne of England. Therefore, Elizabeth I chose James VI of Scotland to succeed her. After her death in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I of England.

Elizabeth I had been instrumental in the death of her cousin, Mary Queen of Scots, who was beheaded.

On her deathbed, Elizabeth wanted to ease her way into Heaven, so she chose Mary’s son James to become the next King of England.

The appointment of James I was a good political move, unifying England and Scotland under one King.

MacbethMacbeth: : a tribute to King James Ia tribute to King James I

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606, during King James’ reign.King James was a devout advocate of the “Divine Right of Kings.”The setting is Scotland, King James’ homeland.Banquo was an ancestor of James and is shown in the play to be a virtuous person.James believed himself to be an expert on witchcraft.James had an interest in faith healing.

Macbeth: an appeal to Elizabethan people’s interests

Shakespeare demonstrated the 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

History & MacbethMacdonwald’s rebellion & the invasion of Sweno took place at different times—Shakespeare combined themDuncan is supposed to have been killed by four hired servants—Shakespeare has Macbeth commit the murderHistory represents Banquo as equal in guilt with Macbeth—Shakespeare whitewashes Banquo’s character as a compliment to King James

History makes no mention of Lady Macbeth—her character is almost wholly the creation of Shakespeare

In history, Macbeth fled before Macduff—Shakespeare shows Macbeth bravely fighting

Used Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, & Ireland as historical reference for his plays

Before the Curtain Opens

When the play begins, there are two wars in progress:

1. Civil War - King Duncan vs. Macdonwald’s rebels

2. National War - Scotland, led by King Duncan, against invading Norway, led by King Sweno

Setting

King Duncan is the King of Scotland.

Edward the Confessor is the King of England.

The time period is the eleventh century (1000-1099).

Shakespeare used poetic license to bend some of the historical information.

The Scottish PlayIt is believed to be bad luck to even squeak the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre

Legend has it you will lose all your friends involved in the production—horribly

Macbeth is another one of Shakespeare’s great tragedies, based on Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. It was written around 1605 but was not published in the first Folio until 1623. It tells about the fall of the ambitious couple, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Macbeth is the tragic hero, a character who has a fatal (tragic)flaw within himself that he cannot change. He is not a bad person; he is just too ambitious. Macbeth is a story about the murder of a king by his cousin, the revenge of a son (Malcolm), three witches who plot against Macbeth, and Macbeth’s rise and fall.

Introduction to Macbeth

MacbethMacbeth: : The CharactersThe Characters

Macbeth: brave general under Duncan who becomes too ambitious after three witches prophesy that he will be King of Scotland.

Lady Macbeth: vicious wife of Macbeth, even more ambitious than Macbeth.

Macbeth Characters

Macduff: A general

Banquo: Macbeth’s friend and general

Fleance: Banquo’s son

King Duncan: King of Scotland, promotes Macbeth to a higher rank

Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son

The three witches: They tell Macbeth that he is to become King, leading him to evil. They also tell him that he will be defeated, but they disguise it in a way as to give him

false confidence.

Hecate: moon goddess and goddess of the witches, directs supernatural occurrences. Makes plan to give Macbeth false security.

Donalbain: Duncan’s youngest son

Ross: Macduff’s cousin, messenger who carries news to people like Macbeth and Macduff throughout the play.

Lennox: A nobleman

Seyton: Macbeth’s lieutenant.

Porter: watches Macbeth’s castle; when drunk, thought that he was the keeper of Hell’s Gates and that sinners were knocking at the door to be admitted.

Old Siward: Earl of Northumberland, ally of Malcolm and Macduff.

Young Siward: Old Siward’s son.

The Murderers: A group of ruffians   Lady Macduff: Macduff’s wife. The scene in

her castle provides our only glimpse of a domestic realm other than that of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. She and her home serve as contrasts to Lady Macbeth and the hellish world of Inverness.