INTRODUCTION TO MACBETH Background Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in

INTRODUCTION TO MACBETH

Background Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606 based on the true story of the Scottish king, Macbeth rises to power after killing King Duncan I The play is set in 11 th century England In 1606 King James I was the ruler of England King James’ family, the Stuarts, first came to power in 11 th century in Scotland King James was also fascinated with the supernatural and witches, which is why Shakespeare incorporates witches into the play

Characters Witches: 1 st characters in the play; tell Macbeth and Banquo a prophecy King Duncan: King of Scotland Malcolm: Duncan’s son; almost captured at the beginning of the play Captain: Brings news of Macbeth’s noble fighting skills at the beginning of the play Donalbain: Duncan’s 2 nd son Macbeth: Thane of Glamis; ambitious; very good general; witches tell him a prophecy Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife; very ambitious Banquo: Scottish Thane; Macbeth’s friend; good fighter Fleance: Banquo’s son Lennox: a Scottish nobleman; becomes suspicious of Macbeth Ross: a Scottish nobleman

Characters Macduff: Thane of Fife; asked by Duncan to visit him early in the morning at Macbeth’s castle; leads the fight against Macbeth later in the play Hecate-head witch Siward-leader of the English army Menteith- Scottish nobleman, fights Macbeth Caithness- Scottish nobleman, fights Macbeth Seyton-Macbeth’s lieutenant Old Man-discusses nature in reference to Macbeth’s rule

Act I Macbeth is on his way home from war when he comes across three witches. What to look for: What do the witches prophesize? What is Macbeth’s reaction? What is Banquo’s reaction? How would you characterize Lady Macbeth? Terms to Remember: Soliloquy-long speech, usually made by a character who is alone; reveals private thoughts and feelings to the audience What does Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal? (1. 5. 38 -54) What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal? (1. 7. 1 -28)

Act II At the end of Act I, Macbeth resolves to kill King Duncan Things to look for in Act II: How is the plan to kill Duncan carried out? Is Macbeth successful? Do any hints of a tragedy begin to occur in this act? Is anyone suspicious of Macbeth? What is one of the major themes that begins to emerge in this act? What is Macbeth’s reaction to his murderous deed? Lady Macbeth’s?

Act III begins with Macbeth being addressed as king by Banquo Terms to know: Conflict: internal vs. external-where do we see examples of this? Climax: this act is the climax of the play Dramatic Irony: when the audience knows/understands something the character does not-where do we see an example of this? What to look for: Who does Macbeth begin to fear and what does he do as a result of this fear? How is Macbeth changing? What happens as a result of Macbeth’s actions in this Act?

Act IV Things to look for: Who does Macbeth turn to for help? What is happening to Macbeth’s mental state? Elizabethans viewed the world as orderly and parallel; for example, the sun rules the heavens, king ruled the state and the father rules the family-how has order been disturbed based on Macbeth’s actions-can order be restored? What happens to Macduff’s family? What does this tell the reader about Macbeth?

Act V Things to look for: What has happened to Lady Macbeth? What happens to Macbeth? What is the audience supposed to learn from this play? How did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change from the beginning of the play?