Macbeth, Or The Scottish Play

Based on lectures by William Harlan

Just so you know…

• Intense psychological study

• Historical background

• Written in 1605-1606

• Shakespeare was at his height of creative POWER

• Blackfriars theatre

• Blackfriars vs. The Globe

Blood & Guts

• Bloody, violent drama

• Psychotic killer & his fiendlike wife

• Suspense thriller

• Tribute? – To King James I of England, who was also

the King of Scotland

Of course, it’s POLITICAL!

• Macbeth is an openly political play• Based on events & life of a real historic

figure…sort of• He wrote about a time 500 years in the

past• Make a moral point about the present

society• Kings used history to maintain power

Cite the Sources

• Holinshed’s Chronicles of Scottish History– Gossip, tales, and fantasy– Flawed perspective– Heighten drama– Simplify complexities– Kiss up to King James

Anachronisms

• Actual story of Macbeth takes place around 1050 in Scotland

• Play is full of references taking place in 1605 in England– Gunpowder Plot

The Real Deal

• 1040- Macbeth becomes KING

• He killed Duncan in battle

• Ruled for 17 years

• Killed by Duncan’s son, Malcom III– Married a Princess & a Saint

Stop the Violence

• It’s the Dark Ages

• Of the 8 Scottish Kings, 7 died “unnatural” deaths– Including being suspiciously burned

Last Man Standing!

A Violent Example

• Braveheart

Concerns of the Royal Families

• Succession

• Keep the CROWN within the family

The Stuart Kings

• Longest surviving royal family in all of Europe

• When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, there had been 8 generations of Stuart Kings

• Hired an historian to create a respectable claim to the throne– Banquo, was told by goddesses of destiny

So, HOW is this a tribute?

• England & Scotland historic enemies

• King James I- King of BOTH ???

• GOAL: United Kingdom– This would take over 100 years

So?

• Shakespeare wrote Macbeth to advance King James’ political agenda– Emphasized commonality – Banquo (the King’s mythical ancestor) was

presented in neutral way• FATE

– Waits to fulfill the prophecy of his family’s future

Gunpowder Plot

• November 1605– Catholic extremists planned to blow up the

Houses of Parliament– The plot was discovered– Conspirators were tortured, confessed, and

executed– England was changed forever

Witches & Ghosts

• Folklore of witch craft

• Superstition in the theatre

As you read, LOOK for these:

• Aristotle’s Tragedy• Moral Weakness or Flaw• Witches or Fates• Banquo as a FOIL• Natural Imagery• Lady Macbeth• Moral Ambiguity• Manhood

Questions!

• At the bottom of your notes page, write out FIVE questions that you have about the play.