Context Macbeth A Christmas Carol Blood Brothers and

Context – Macbeth, A Christmas Carol, Blood Brothers and Poetry

What does the exam board say?

Researching context Types of context: • Historical • Social • Authorial • Audience • Genre Revise the key contextual factors and come up with direct links to the text.

Macbeth Contextual factor 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Link to the play Hubris + Tragic Hero James I Attitudes to Witchcraft Feminism + Women’s rights The divine rights of kings + Chain of being 6. The real ‘Banquo’ and ‘Macbeth’. 7. The genre – Blood and Violence 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Context Revision Cards Types of context: • Historical • Social • Authorial • Audience • Genre Hubris + Tragic Hero Hubris – excessive pride – Macbeth’s failure to surrender in Act 5 Tragic Hero – A character destined for downfall – Macbeth after he meets the Witches. On one side of the card write the context factor, on the other side write down the definition and the link.

Revision Homework Types of context: • Historical • Social • Authorial • Audience • Genre Do the same for your other LIT texts.

History & Macbeth • Macdonwald’s rebellion & the invasion of Sweno took place at different times—Shakespeare combined them • Duncan is supposed to have been killed by four hired servants— Shakespeare has Macbeth commit the murder • History 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Shakespeare shows Macbeth bravely fighting • Used Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, & Ireland as historical reference for his plays

A Christmas Carol Contextual factor 1. Attitudes towards Christmas in 1843 and now. 2. The Poor Laws 3. Victorian London – what was it like? 4. Workhouses 5. Social Welfare in 1843 6. The industrial revolution 7. The Genre – use of ghosts 8. Dickens’ background Link to the play 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

How to Link

Margaret Thatcher • Who was she? • What she like as a leader? • Was she popular? • What political decisions is she remembered for? Marilyn Monroe • Who was she? • What was she renowned for? • How did she die? • Why did she die? Liverpool Unemployment • What is a Scouser? • What is Liverpool known for? • What are stereotypical views on Liverpool? • What was the unemployment rate under the Thatcher government? • What caused unemployment during this time? • What did you do if you were unemployed? Blood Brothers Superstition • Find examples of superstitions. • Where do they come from? • Why do people believe in them? • Why are they dangerous? Willy Russell • Where is he from? • How did he do at school? • What jobs did he have? • What else did he write? • What was his inspiration for Blood Brothers? Closure of industry • What was Britain’s main industry during the 1960 s/1970 s? • Why did British industry start to decline? • What effect did this decline have on people?

Poetry Poem 1. Ozymandias 2. London 3. The Prelude 4. My Last Duchess 5. Charge of the LB 6. Exposure 7. Storm on the Island 8. Bayonet Charge 9. Remains 10. Poppies 11. War Photographer 12. Tissue 13. Emigree 14. Checking out Me History 15. Kamikaze Contextual factor 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15.

Literature Mocks – How to link Now look back through your last two literature mocks. Where can you make a contextual link? How can you make sure it is properly explained? The Good “This alludes to… The Bad “The contextual link for this is…