Macbeth By William Shakespeare The History The Gunpowder

Macbeth By William Shakespeare

The History

The Gunpowder Plot • 1605: Conspirators plan to blow up the English Parliament. – All members & the royal family were inside. • English Catholics lost hope for religious freedom under King James I. – Restricted religious freedom. – Catholics skipping church were fined. • Plotters held “Black Mass” – Called upon Satan to ensure success of plot.

The Gunpowder Plot (cont. ) • Warning letter fell into King’s hands. • Guy Fawkes (the assassin) captured. – Found in the cellar waiting to ignite a barrel of gunpowder. • Captured conspirators were “hanged, drawn, and quartered. ” – Punishment for high treason in England.

How the Gunpowder Plot Relates to Macbeth • James wanted recognition. – Hoped to become popular through this “victory. ” • Considered hero for thwarting the plot. – Macbeth makes many flattering references to James. • Banquo is king’s direct ancestor in the play. – Never really existed. • King Edward “heals” people by the touch of his hand. – a feat which James was said to perform.

History Continued… The Legend of Macbeth

• In Macbeth, Shakespeare is concerned with the exploration of evil. • He does not stick to historical fact so that he may add a deeper level of this exploration to his play.

The Real Macbeth • Macbeth ruled Scotland from 1040 to 1057. • He was a prosperous and able king. • Killed his predecessor Duncan. – In open combat (not while Duncan was sleeping). – Duncan actually was not a great ruler. • Macbeth was a sign of hope. • Many made Macbeth appear murderous. – Duncan’s family was restored to power. – Not safe to paint Macbeth in a good light. – King James related to Duncan.

• Shakespeare combined a negative portrayal of Macbeth (from a 1587 historical book) with the story of Donwald, an earlier Scottish tyrant who murdered King Duffe.

Witches • Represent darkness, chaos, conflict • Witches sees as worse than rebels – European Witch Craze, mass murder of women – Political and spiritual traitors – Witch hunting was respectable • Dark forces; supernatural and natural – Spiritual forces vs free will • Are they controlling Macbeth or are they merely agents in his own demise?