Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
What is there about Shakespeare that would interest
a contemporary American? Why do we read this?
What is there about Shakespeare that would interest
a contemporary American? Why do we read this?
If being a “contemporary American” means being focused on dirty TV sitcoms, greed, casual sex, big-money sports, televangelism, professional wrestling, crybabies, slot machines, political action committees, and “war on drugs” profiteering, then the answer is probably “Nothing.”
If a contemporary American can still ask, “Is life just a meaningless exercise in status-seeking, or is there anything to give us hope that morality is real?” -- then the answer is maybe that Shakespeare deals with basic human issues.
If being a “contemporary American” means being focused on dirty TV sitcoms, greed, casual sex, big-money sports, televangelism, professional wrestling, crybabies, slot machines, political action committees, and “war on drugs” profiteering, then the answer is probably “Nothing.”
If a contemporary American can still ask, “Is life just a meaningless exercise in status-seeking, or is there anything to give us hope that morality is real?” -- then the answer is maybe that Shakespeare deals with basic human issues.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
WITCHESTREACHERY
MURDERBLOOD
FAITHLESSNESSDECEPTIONAMBITION
WITCHESTREACHERY
MURDERBLOOD
FAITHLESSNESSDECEPTIONAMBITION
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.
The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Source of the playSource of the play Shakespeare's
source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)
Shakespeare's source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Written between 1604-1606
Performed at the Globe Theatre, London
Published in the First Folio of 1623
Written between 1604-1606
Performed at the Globe Theatre, London
Published in the First Folio of 1623
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
NotesNotes Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth Genre: Tragedy Setting (time): 11th century Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly,
England Protagonist: Macbeth Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with
his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)
Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth Genre: Tragedy Setting (time): 11th century Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly,
England Protagonist: Macbeth Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with
his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Historical ConnectionHistorical Connection Scotland at the time was a violent
and troubled country The castle was the center of each
rival aristocrat’s (thane) power Political murder and revenge
were not unusual means to gain power
Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly
Scotland at the time was a violent and troubled country
The castle was the center of each rival aristocrat’s (thane) power
Political murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power
Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.
It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.
It is considered Shakespeare’s darkest work.
His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.
The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.
It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.
It is considered Shakespeare’s darkest work.
His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.
The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted
Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.
The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plottedto blow up Parliament, King James, his queen and oldest son.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Importance of PatronageImportance of Patronage The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of
King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.
This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.
The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.
This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.
Macbeth focuses on issues of kinship and loyalty, important ideals to King James, who had survived an assassination attempt early in his life. His father had been murdered. His mother, Mary Queen of Scots, had been executed.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.
A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.
Belief in witchcraft was widespread. In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became
punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.
The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.
A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.
Belief in witchcraft was widespread. In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became
punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
The Historical MacbethThe Historical Macbeth Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray
and Ross He married Gruach, granddaughter to a
High King of Scotland; no children No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s
influence on her husband Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was
killed, possibly by Macbeth Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of
Scotland in 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.
Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability
Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray and Ross
He married Gruach, granddaughter to a High King of Scotland; no children
No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband
Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was killed, possibly by Macbeth
Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of Scotland in 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.
Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Historical MacbethHistorical Macbeth No evidence of attention to witchcraft Strong supporter of the church Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in
1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor
No evidence of attention to witchcraft Strong supporter of the church Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in
1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor
Macbeth was killed on Aug. 15, 1057Buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of the kings of Scotland
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
ThemeThemeThe play is
seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.
The play is seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Inside the theater
Inside the theater
Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “the Scottish play” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.
Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “the Scottish play” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
Recurring motifs (patterns)
Recurring motifs (patterns)
Blood Clothing Natural order (nature) Insomnia
Blood Clothing Natural order (nature) Insomnia
These are examples of test
‘questions’
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
What to Watch ForWhat to Watch For
what Macbeth is thinking and feeling,
why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself
what Macbeth is thinking and feeling,
why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
At the Start of the PlayAt the Start of the Play Macbeth is a very successful and
highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.
Macbeth is a very successful and highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.
Mrs. Moulton • British Literature
At the End of the PlayAt the End of the Play
Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.
Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.