Macbeth PreReading Shakespeare and His Times Iambic Pentameter

Macbeth Pre-Reading Shakespeare and His Times

Iambic Pentameter • A rhythm pattern based on syllables: da. DUM – Unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable • One da. DUM is called an iam • If you put 5 iams on one line, – da. DUM, you have iambic pentameter! • All of Shakespeare’s plays are written this way

Shakespearean Iambic Pentameter • “I’ll fight ‘til my flesh is hacked from my bones” is a line from Macbeth • Rearrange the words so they fall in iambic pentameter • “I’ll fight ‘til from my bones my flesh be hacked”

Important Cultural Knowledge • Women had a lower social status • Great Chain of Being – There is a proper order of things, based on complexity, from the smallest grains of sand to heaven and God – Harmony vs. Disorder • Divine right and its disruption • You vs. Thou

Macbeth Background • Historical King Macbeth existed, although without much of the murder and intrigue that characterizes the play • Shakespeare wrote Macbeth as a tribute to James I – Interested in witchcraft – Claimed to be descended from original Duncan and Banquo, both characters from the play that are treated quite favorably

Shakespeare’s Goals § Shakespeare wanted to explore (from a safe distance) the events and attitudes of his own time. Ø Gunpowder Plot of 1605 Ø The threat to an anointed king § Shakespeare also altered his text § to pay homage to his own king and country. Shakespeare more interested in psychological truth than in historical fact.

Themes? § What themes do you expect to encounter in Macbeth, based on the information in this Power. Point?