Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

What is there about Shakespeare that would interest

a contemporary American? Why do we read this?

What is there about Shakespeare that would interest

a contemporary American? Why do we read this?

If being a “contemporary American” means being focused on dirty TV sitcoms, greed, casual sex, big-money sports, televangelism, professional wrestling, crybabies, slot machines, political action committees, and “war on drugs” profiteering, then the answer is probably “Nothing.”

If a contemporary American can still ask, “Is life just a meaningless exercise in status-seeking, or is there anything to give us hope that morality is real?” -- then the answer is maybe that Shakespeare deals with basic human issues.

If being a “contemporary American” means being focused on dirty TV sitcoms, greed, casual sex, big-money sports, televangelism, professional wrestling, crybabies, slot machines, political action committees, and “war on drugs” profiteering, then the answer is probably “Nothing.”

If a contemporary American can still ask, “Is life just a meaningless exercise in status-seeking, or is there anything to give us hope that morality is real?” -- then the answer is maybe that Shakespeare deals with basic human issues.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

WITCHESTREACHERY

MURDERBLOOD

FAITHLESSNESSDECEPTIONAMBITION

WITCHESTREACHERY

MURDERBLOOD

FAITHLESSNESSDECEPTIONAMBITION

MacbethMacbeth

A tragedyBy William

Shakespeare

A tragedyBy William

Shakespeare

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

The Rise and

Fall of a

Great Man

The Rise and

Fall of a

Great Man

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.

The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Source of the playSource of the play Shakespeare's

source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)

Shakespeare's source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Written between 1604-1606

Performed at the Globe Theatre, London

Published in the First Folio of 1623

Written between 1604-1606

Performed at the Globe Theatre, London

Published in the First Folio of 1623

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

NotesNotes Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth Genre: Tragedy Setting (time): 11th century Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly,

England Protagonist: Macbeth Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with

his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)

Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth Genre: Tragedy Setting (time): 11th century Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly,

England Protagonist: Macbeth Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with

his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Historical ConnectionHistorical Connection Scotland at the time was a violent

and troubled country The castle was the center of each

rival aristocrat’s (thane) power Political murder and revenge

were not unusual means to gain power

Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly

Scotland at the time was a violent and troubled country

The castle was the center of each rival aristocrat’s (thane) power

Political murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power

Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.

It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.

It is considered Shakespeare’s darkest work.

His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.

The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.

It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.

It is considered Shakespeare’s darkest work.

His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.

The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted

Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.

The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plottedto blow up Parliament, King James, his queen and oldest son.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Importance of PatronageImportance of Patronage The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of

King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.

This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.

The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.

This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.

Macbeth focuses on issues of kinship and loyalty, important ideals to King James, who had survived an assassination attempt early in his life. His father had been murdered. His mother, Mary Queen of Scots, had been executed.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.

A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.

Belief in witchcraft was widespread. In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became

punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.

The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.

A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.

Belief in witchcraft was widespread. In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became

punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

The Historical MacbethThe Historical Macbeth Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray

and Ross He married Gruach, granddaughter to a

High King of Scotland; no children No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s

influence on her husband Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was

killed, possibly by Macbeth Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of

Scotland in 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.

Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability

Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray and Ross

He married Gruach, granddaughter to a High King of Scotland; no children

No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband

Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was killed, possibly by Macbeth

Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of Scotland in 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.

Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Historical MacbethHistorical Macbeth No evidence of attention to witchcraft Strong supporter of the church Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in

1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor

No evidence of attention to witchcraft Strong supporter of the church Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in

1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor

Macbeth was killed on Aug. 15, 1057Buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of the kings of Scotland

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

ThemeThemeThe play is

seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.

The play is seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Inside the theater

Inside the theater

Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “the Scottish play” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.

Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “the Scottish play” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Recurring motifs (patterns)

Recurring motifs (patterns)

Blood Clothing Natural order (nature) Insomnia

Blood Clothing Natural order (nature) Insomnia

These are examples of test

‘questions’

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

What to Watch ForWhat to Watch For

what Macbeth is thinking and feeling,

why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself

what Macbeth is thinking and feeling,

why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

At the Start of the PlayAt the Start of the Play Macbeth is a very successful and

highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.

Macbeth is a very successful and highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

At the End of the PlayAt the End of the Play

Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.

Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature

Why?Why? Because

of his own free decisions!

He destroys himself.

Because of his own free decisions!

He destroys himself.