Introduction to Shakespeares Macbeth John Worston Macbeth and

Introduction to Shakespeare’s Macbeth John Worston, Macbeth and Banquo Meeting the Witches

Introduction to William Shakespeare’s Macbeth 4 The Meanings of Macbeth 4 Brief examination of the historical context of Macbeth 4 Witches and Witchcraft in Macbeth

The Many Meanings of Macbeth 4 A historical thriller – a fast-moving, action-packed murder mystery demonstrating that crime doesn’t pay 4 A psychological study of a murderer’s mind 4 A play of illusions – the effect of the mysterious or supernatural on humans 4 A play of ideas or themes – for example, “appearance versus reality” 4 A play about gender 4 A play of political and social realism – how oppressive and hierarchical society can corrupt individuals 4 A tragedy – the fall of a great person brought about by a fatal flaw in their character

Historical Context of Macbeth 4 Shakespeare was a playwright, not an historian. However, he knew that history provided great material for plays: war, conflict, ambition, the downfall of great rulers. 4 Eleventh-Century (1000 s) Scotland was a violent and troubled country. 4 Feuding families and clans fought to control trade and territory. 4 The castle was the power base of each rival war-lord (thane). 4 Political murder and revenge killings were commonplace.

The Real Macbeth 4 The real Macbeth was born in 1005, the son of a ruling family. 4 Macbeth’s father was murdered by his cousin. 4 Macbeth married the granddaughter of the High King of Scotland (Gruach) Martin, Banquo and Macbeth on the Heath

The Real King Duncan and Macbeth 4 Duncan was the king of Scotland at the time the real Macbeth was born 4 Duncan was 38 at the time of his murder - a murder possibly committed by the real Macbeth. 4 Macbeth ruled Scotland for 17 years, during which time Scotland became comparatively peaceful and stable. 4 Duncan’s son, Malcolm, invaded Scotland in 1054, supported by Edward the Confessor. 4 Macbeth was killed on August 4 Macbeth was elected High King of Scotland in 1040. 15, 1057 and buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of the Kings of Scotland.

What’s the take-away? 4 Shakespeare modeled his play after an actual historical figure. 4 Some of the plot points are the same. 4 But…the real Macbeth was (almost) universally loved and respected; Shakespeare’s Macbeth wasn’t.

James I Comes to Power 4 Since there was no successor to the English throne, Queen Elizabeth I selected James VI of Scotland (a distant cousin) to succeed her—he was already King of Scotland. 4 After Elizabeth’s death (1603), James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, unifying the two countries, though there was still controversy between them. 4 Macbeth contains many echoes of King James’ interests. . .

The Gunpowder Plot of 1605 4 A failed assassination attempt against King James! 4 Disgruntled Catholics planned to blow up the House of Lords. 4 Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding their horde of explosives in the basement of the House of Lords on November 5, 1605. (“Remember, remember the 5 th of November. ”) 4 The traitors were sentenced to death, and this day is still celebrated in England as Guy Fawkes Day. 4 Shakespeare weaves references to the Gunpowder Plot into Macbeth. Was this rebellious?

Back to the play… Before the Curtain Opens: 4 When the play begins, there are two wars in progress: 1. Civil War in Scotland- King Duncan vs. Macdonwald’s (a thane’s) rebels 2. National War - Scotland, led by King Duncan, against invading Norway

*Brain Break!* 4 Stand up at your seat. Your task: organize yourselves in line from youngest to oldest. 4 The trick: you must remain silent! You have exactly 4 minutes to complete the task. Go!

Quick Review 4 The “real” Macbeth: – Killed king, became king, succeeded, was murdered by King’s son 4 James I from Scotland – Follows Elizabeth I – Gunpowder Plot: assassination plot – Was Macbeth written for him?

A Macbeth for King James? 4 Banquo (pictured at right) – an elaborate family tree of the Stuart dynasty suggests that King James is descended from a real Banquo (Holinshed). Henry Fuseli, Macbeth, Banquo and the Witches on the Heath

Modern Associations with Witches?

A Macbeth for King James? 4 King James’ interest in witchcraft was well known 4 King James visited Oxford in 1605 and was greeted by three witches who hailed him as the descendent of Banquo. . . interesting. Alexandre-Marie Colin, The Three Witches from Macbeth

Witches & Witchcraft 4 Witch-mania inthe Elizabethan era. 4 Most people believed in witches! 4 Circulating pamphlets containing tales of witches and witchcraft were the equivalent of today’s popular newspapers. Henry Fuseli, The Three Witches

Witches and Witchcraft 4 Witches were said to have “diabolical” powers. They could: – predict the future – bring on night in the daytime – cause fogs and tempests – kill animals – curse enemies with fatal, wasting diseases – cause nightmares and sterility – take demonic possession of any individual – raise evil spirits by concocting a brew 4 It was believed that witches allowed the devil to suck their blood. Accused witches were examined for the “Devil’s Mark” - a red mark on their body from which the devil had sucked blood.

Witches and Witchcraft - Misogyny? 4 Between 1560 and 1603, hundreds of people, nearly all of them women, were convicted as witches and executed 4 In 1604 an official Act of Parliament decreed that anyone found guilty of practicing witchcraft should be executed 4 Those who confessed to being witches did so under torture or because they were in the grip of delusions recognized today as psychiatric disorders.

4 What would Macbeth’s audience have thought about the witches?

beginning Macbeth. . . 4 Trance – “look how our partner’s rapt” 4 Changed Appearance – “why do you make such faces” 4 Inability to Pray – “ “Amen” stuck in my throat” 4 Visions – “Is this a dagger I see before me? ” 4 Disturbed Behaviour – “I have a strange infirmity” 4 Lack of Fear – “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” 4 Indifference to Life – “She should have died hereafter” 4 Invitations to evil spirits – “Come, you spirits”