Notes on Macbeth

and Shakespeare’s Theater

Technical terms:

Aside

Foil

Monologue (R28)

Soliloquy (R32)

Tragedy (R33)

About the man: William Shakespeare was believed to be

born on April 23, 1564 because his baptismal record is dated April 26th, which

would be traditionally done three days after a child was born.

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616. (This day is important because it is the Feast Day of St. George, the patron saint of

England)

He was famous and controversial in his own day.

He was the Master of the English Renaissance who gave us the foundation for the modern English language.

Shakespeare's plays were written from 1590 through 1613.

They were never meant for publication - only for entertainment in the theater.

He wanted MONEY - not literary recognition. Publication of his works pissed Shakespeare off!

Scripts were stolen regularly so that his plays could be published and sold to his fans.

His plays:

The scripts of Shakespeare’s plays were in two accessible forms:

folios

and

quartos.

about the size of a coffee table book

The scripts of Shakespeare’s plays were in two accessible forms:

folios

and

quartos.

like a small paperback book

Quartos - these were published illegally during Shakespeare's day. They were cheaper than a full folio, but they were less accurate copies, hence the variations we have todayin some cases.

Folios - these were published in 1623 after his death. The first ones were the original copies that Shakespeare had used, but later ones were accurate copies that tended to cost much more than the cheap quartos.

The shows themselves:

Elaborate costumes and props were used.

Violence on stage was common.

***Later on in the plays, the use of animal organs filled with blood were worn under the costume in fights or murder scenes in order for blood to appear when someone was cut or stabbed.

All actors were males - female parts were played by apprentice boys

Sound effects and special effects were also used - some scenery was used, but

not extensively due to the need for quick scene changes.

Most plays were done in only a two-hour period.

The Globe Theater:

Shakespeare had this theater built exclusively for his plays in 1599.

It used the sunlight in the afternoon to light up the stage from the southwest.

It was three stories tall to accommodate as much seating as possible. The cheapest spots were in the pit with standing room only - this cost two pennies.

View from directly overhead…

This is why they called it the “Big O.”

Another overhead view

Three tiers of seats for the more affluent folk

THE

PIT

The heavens

The stage and underworld beneath

Ropes to lower people or effects from the heavens

There were trapdoors in the stage for various special effects

Balconies (second level) for musicians and scenes that call for an upper level

Sunlight was used during the afternoon to light the stage.

View from the front entrance

View from the pit

View from the top level seating

View of the seats on the top

View from the stage

View from the bottom level seating

This is the back tower of the rebuilt Globe Theater in London today.

The rebuilt Globe Theater in London

The background for Macbeth:

Story – taken from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland

witchcraft in the play from witches mentioned in this book

King James I wrote a book against sorcery and satanism called Demonologie

First shown to King James I, King of England (aka James VI, King of Scotland)

Setting

Scotland (and England)

11th Century (in the time of King Edward the Confessor of England)

Scotland has been loosely unified for around two hundred years

Kilts and tartans differentiate clans, land and rank

DunsinaneBirnam Wood

Macbeth’s castle

Duncan’s Palace

Important places in Act 5

Northumberland, England

Scottish Hierarchy

GodKing (and Queen)

Prince of CumberlandLesser princes

ThanesLords

Common people