The Renaissance and The Renaissance and William Shakespeare’s, William Shakespeare’s,

MacbethMacbeth

Macbeth IntroductionMacbeth Introduction

The RenaissanceThe RenaissanceKey FactsKey Facts

► What?What? ““rebirthrebirth” of classic era (Greek ” of classic era (Greek

and Roman ideas)and Roman ideas)► When? When? 1414thth-17-17thth century century► Where?Where? Spread from Italy to rest of Spread from Italy to rest of

EuropeEurope► Why is it Important?Why is it Important? Canadian values and laws are Canadian values and laws are

derived from the ideas derived from the ideas rebornreborn during this time.during this time.

The RenaissanceThe RenaissanceA New Philosophy: HumanismA New Philosophy: Humanism

► ..

► ..

► They are capable of learning and they use reason and They are capable of learning and they use reason and experience to do so.experience to do so.

► They are social, collaborative, and compassionate, not They are social, collaborative, and compassionate, not competitive and self-centred.competitive and self-centred.

► They try to do their best and choose what is good for They try to do their best and choose what is good for themselves and others. themselves and others.

The RenaissanceThe RenaissanceHumanism’s Effects on SocietyHumanism’s Effects on Society

► __________ celebrated the Divine within the celebrated the Divine within the human mind and body.human mind and body.► ______________ that allowed students to learn through that allowed students to learn through

discussing and discussing and experiencing, instead of memorizing, developed. experiencing, instead of memorizing, developed.

Student opinions were valued.Student opinions were valued.► _______other than the Bible were written and _______other than the Bible were written and

read, leading to freedom of thought and access to read, leading to freedom of thought and access to ideas. ideas.

► The The __________________ was weakened was weakened, so a new type of , so a new type of government was needed.government was needed.

► New studiesNew studies, like Science, Math, Architecture, , like Science, Math, Architecture, Geography, Astronomy, Agriculture, and Art emerged as a Geography, Astronomy, Agriculture, and Art emerged as a result of access to knowledge and ideas.result of access to knowledge and ideas.

► People were free to travel; they were no longer “owned” as People were free to travel; they were no longer “owned” as serfs; Feudalism thus broke down and gave way to serfs; Feudalism thus broke down and gave way to Democracy.Democracy.

► ..► These people formed a new middle class: These people formed a new middle class: __________________________..► ExplorationExploration and and tradetrade boomed—knowledge of other boomed—knowledge of other

cultures increased. Views of the world changed…cultures increased. Views of the world changed…

The RenaissanceThe RenaissanceViews of the WorldViews of the World

Renaissance views of the world were Renaissance views of the world were governed by 2 principles:governed by 2 principles:

____________ and _________ and _________

Two systems of organizing and Two systems of organizing and understanding the world helped people to understanding the world helped people to feel secure (orderly):feel secure (orderly):

1)1) ______________________________________________2)2) __________________________ __________________________ (our focus)(our focus)

1) 1) The 4 Humours, Elements, and SeasonsThe 4 Humours, Elements, and Seasons::

Science was developing, but didn’t exist as we know it. Science was developing, but didn’t exist as we know it.

► People believed the world was made of 4 elements: People believed the world was made of 4 elements: ___________________________________________________.___________________________________________________.

► They believed the body was made of 4 humours:They believed the body was made of 4 humours: ___________________________________________________.___________________________________________________.

► They thought people each had one of 4 personality types:They thought people each had one of 4 personality types: sanguine, melancholic, choleric, or phlegmatic.sanguine, melancholic, choleric, or phlegmatic.

► And they thought ….And they thought ….

Find your personality type:

2)2) The Great Chain of Being The Great Chain of Being:: Although greater equality among people of Although greater equality among people of different classes, and among men and women,different classes, and among men and women, had been achieved, the idea of organizing had been achieved, the idea of organizing the world into a hierarchy was still strong:the world into a hierarchy was still strong:

GodGodAngelsAngels

HumansHumansAnimalsAnimalsPlantsPlants

Rocks/MineralsRocks/Minerals

The Great Chain of Being:The Great Chain of Being:

The Chain was believed to have been__________________.The Chain was believed to have been__________________.Everyone had a place in the Chain that was consideredEveryone had a place in the Chain that was considereddestined, natural, and divinely created.destined, natural, and divinely created.

King/ QueenKing/ QueenNobilityNobility

BourgeoisieBourgeoisiePeasants and ServantsPeasants and Servants

It was considered wrong, rude, greedy, and impious toIt was considered wrong, rude, greedy, and impious totry to improve one’s position in the Chain. In fact…try to improve one’s position in the Chain. In fact…

► If people did not mind their places in If people did not mind their places in the Chain—if they aspired to move the Chain—if they aspired to move up--they would upset the balance of up--they would upset the balance of the universe, which was created by the universe, which was created by God. God.

► . .

But what about Humanism?But what about Humanism? Humanism celebrates human potential, Humanism celebrates human potential,

and thus peoples’ ambition, which and thus peoples’ ambition, which enables them to actualize such enables them to actualize such potential. So how can ambition be the potential. So how can ambition be the root of evil?root of evil?

____________________________________

To account for contradictions in their beliefs, like simultaneously celebrating and condemning ambition, Renaissance citizens blamed witches. They also blamed witches for other things they couldn’t understand, like natural disasters, humans’ wrongdoings or crimes, and sickness (The Plague).

These ideas of Order vs. Disorder, caused These ideas of Order vs. Disorder, caused by human ambition, lead us to the play, by human ambition, lead us to the play,

MACBETHMACBETH

MACBETHMACBETHImportant FactsImportant Facts

► AuthorAuthor: William Shakespeare: William Shakespeare► Genre:Genre: Tragedy Tragedy (a play whose hero dies at the end as a (a play whose hero dies at the end as a

result of his own character flaws, usually excess ambition, result of his own character flaws, usually excess ambition, and subsequently corrupt behaviour)and subsequently corrupt behaviour)

► Written inWritten in: 1606, England: 1606, England► Setting:Setting: Medieval (1000’s) Scotland Medieval (1000’s) Scotland► ShortestShortest of Shakespeare’s plays—approximately 1000 of Shakespeare’s plays—approximately 1000

lines, as opposed to lines, as opposed to Romeo and Juliet’sRomeo and Juliet’s 2500-ish 2500-ish► One of the goriest of W.S.’s plays: 100+ references to One of the goriest of W.S.’s plays: 100+ references to

bloodblood► Written in Written in BLANK VERSEBLANK VERSE (iambic pentameter, no rhyme) (iambic pentameter, no rhyme)► The Witches upset the verse—their lines rhymeThe Witches upset the verse—their lines rhyme..

THE CURSE OF THE SCOTTISH PLAYTHE CURSE OF THE SCOTTISH PLAY► The play is cursed, and referred to only as “That The play is cursed, and referred to only as “That

Play,” “The ‘M’ word,” or “The Scottish Play” by Play,” “The ‘M’ word,” or “The Scottish Play” by actors and directors, for fear that saying the full actors and directors, for fear that saying the full name, “Macb—” will bring bad luck.name, “Macb—” will bring bad luck.

► The film which was produced by Playboy The film which was produced by Playboy Productions and directed by Roman Polanski. Productions and directed by Roman Polanski. Roman Polanski’s wife was murdered by Charles Roman Polanski’s wife was murdered by Charles Manson. (we will watch this version in class)Manson. (we will watch this version in class)

►MacbethMacbeththe Setting:the Setting:

11th Century 11th Century Scotland Scotland

Macbeth:Macbeth: the Characters the Characters

DuncanDuncan: good King of Scotland: good King of ScotlandMalcolm: Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son, heir to the throne, Prince of CumberlandDuncan’s eldest son, heir to the throne, Prince of CumberlandDonalbain: Donalbain: Duncan’s younger son, second in line to the throneDuncan’s younger son, second in line to the throneMacbethMacbeth: Scottish General, Thane of Glamis, later Thane of Cawdor, war : Scottish General, Thane of Glamis, later Thane of Cawdor, war hero, friend of Duncanhero, friend of DuncanLady MacbethLady Macbeth —his smart, strong, ambitious wife —his smart, strong, ambitious wifeBanquoBanquo: Macbeth’s friend, ancestor of Renaissance’s English King James: Macbeth’s friend, ancestor of Renaissance’s English King JamesFleanceFleance: Banquo’s son—his line become the future kings of Scotland and England: Banquo’s son—his line become the future kings of Scotland and EnglandMacDuffMacDuff: Scottish General and ultimate saviour of Scotland, restores : Scottish General and ultimate saviour of Scotland, restores throne to Malcolmthrone to MalcolmLady Macduff: Lady Macduff: murdered wife of MacDuffmurdered wife of MacDuffRoss, Lennox, Mentieth Caithness, Angus:Ross, Lennox, Mentieth Caithness, Angus: Scottish Nobles Scottish Nobles Seyton: Seyton: attendant/servant to Macbethattendant/servant to MacbethPorterPorter: Macbeth’s butler, a drunk and a lecher, the comedic relief of the play: Macbeth’s butler, a drunk and a lecher, the comedic relief of the playHecateHecate: head-witch, leader of the 3 main witches: head-witch, leader of the 3 main witches3 Witches: 3 Witches: evil, scheming women with beards and supernatural powersevil, scheming women with beards and supernatural powers

King James I and the Character, King James I and the Character, Banquo,Banquo,

in in MacbethMacbeth►King James IV of Scotland was given the King James IV of Scotland was given the

Throne by Queen Elizabeth in 1603. Throne by Queen Elizabeth in 1603. Shakespeare pleased King James I (of Shakespeare pleased King James I (of England) greatly when he made the most England) greatly when he made the most honourable character in the play, Banquo, a honourable character in the play, Banquo, a fictional ancestor of James I. fictional ancestor of James I.

Macbeth:Macbeth: the Plot the Plot1) Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, wins a battle against the 1) Macbeth, Thane of Glamis, wins a battle against the

Norwegians and helps capture a Scottish traitor working Norwegians and helps capture a Scottish traitor working with the enemy.with the enemy.

2) King Duncan hears of Macbeth’s victory and plans to 2) King Duncan hears of Macbeth’s victory and plans to make him Thane of Cawdor, too. make him Thane of Cawdor, too.

3) Before Ross can give Macbeth his new title, Macbeth 3) Before Ross can give Macbeth his new title, Macbeth and Banquo run into 3 witches, who give them both a and Banquo run into 3 witches, who give them both a prophesy:prophesy:

They tell him he’ll be the Thane of Cawdor and King They tell him he’ll be the Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotlandof Scotland

They tell Banquo his heirs will be Kings of Scotland.They tell Banquo his heirs will be Kings of Scotland.4) Macbeth is later greeted by Ross with the new title of 4) Macbeth is later greeted by Ross with the new title of

Cawdor, so he starts to think….and believe…Cawdor, so he starts to think….and believe…5) He writes a letter to his wife, who plans to get Macbeth 5) He writes a letter to his wife, who plans to get Macbeth

to kill the King and take his throne.to kill the King and take his throne.

6) The pair invites Duncan to a party and kills him6) The pair invites Duncan to a party and kills him7) Duncan’s sons flee, fearing they’ll be next, and the crown 7) Duncan’s sons flee, fearing they’ll be next, and the crown

falls on Macbeth.falls on Macbeth.8) Banquo and Macduff become suspicious, so the Macbeths 8) Banquo and Macduff become suspicious, so the Macbeths

try to kill them too, and become drunk with power and try to kill them too, and become drunk with power and corruption.corruption.

9) The witches tell Macbeth that he won’t die until a forest 9) The witches tell Macbeth that he won’t die until a forest moves to his castle and that only a man who wasn’t born moves to his castle and that only a man who wasn’t born from a woman can harm him—so he’s not afraid. from a woman can harm him—so he’s not afraid.

10) Macduff finally gets together an English army, who sneak 10) Macduff finally gets together an English army, who sneak up to his castle behind tree branches, to Macbeth’s castle. up to his castle behind tree branches, to Macbeth’s castle. MacDuff, born through C-section slays Macbeth and MacDuff, born through C-section slays Macbeth and returns the crown to Malcolm. returns the crown to Malcolm.

……Now, back to the ideas of ORDER Now, back to the ideas of ORDER and BALANCE in and BALANCE in Macbeth…Macbeth…

People living during the Renaissance thought that People living during the Renaissance thought that imbalance was a sign of evil. In the imbalance was a sign of evil. In the ____________________, , Macbeth, the Macbeth, the play’s protagonist, a Scottish General, play’s protagonist, a Scottish General, aspires to be King—a position higher in the Chain of aspires to be King—a position higher in the Chain of Being than his own. This Being than his own. This ____________________________ (_________________) leads him to do evil things and (_________________) leads him to do evil things and upsets the universe’s upsets the universe’s ________________________________________________. . As a result, the humours, elements, and seasons are As a result, the humours, elements, and seasons are all thrown “out of whack.” For example, there are more all thrown “out of whack.” For example, there are more than 100 references to blood and water in the play. than 100 references to blood and water in the play. Thus, Macbeth’s ambition is responsible for Scotland’s Thus, Macbeth’s ambition is responsible for Scotland’s descent into descent into ____________________________..

……and how Renaissance people believed that and how Renaissance people believed that witches led people who are inherently good witches led people who are inherently good

astray…astray…

In In Macbeth, Macbeth, Shakespeare… Shakespeare… ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________._________________.

Third Witch: “All hail, Third Witch: “All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king Macbeth! that shalt be king

hereafter.”hereafter.”

The Witches also create disORDER The Witches also create disORDER when they upset the verse of the when they upset the verse of the play--their lines rhyme, but the play--their lines rhyme, but the

rest of the play is in BLANK VERSE.rest of the play is in BLANK VERSE.

Macbeth:Macbeth: the Big Ideas the Big Ideas

► ConflictsConflicts: : good vs. evil, order vs. chaos, ambition vs. knowledge of what’s good vs. evil, order vs. chaos, ambition vs. knowledge of what’s

right/wrong, clarity vs. insanity, right/wrong, clarity vs. insanity,

► ThemesThemes: : people choose their ultimate ends, unchecked ambition corrupts, people choose their ultimate ends, unchecked ambition corrupts,

masculinity breeds cruelty, tyrannical leadership is wrong, men and masculinity breeds cruelty, tyrannical leadership is wrong, men and women share power and responsibility.women share power and responsibility.

► Motifs: Motifs: blood, water, darkness, storms/water, tyrannical masculinity, blood, water, darkness, storms/water, tyrannical masculinity,

hallucinations, children, prophecy, inverted Chain of Beinghallucinations, children, prophecy, inverted Chain of Being

► Symbols:Symbols: blood, rain/weatherblood, rain/weather

The Globe seated people of The Globe seated people of all classes, but all classes, but demonstrated Renaissance demonstrated Renaissance beliefs in the Chain of beliefs in the Chain of Being by having the “Penny Being by having the “Penny Pinchers” at the bottom, Pinchers” at the bottom, and the higher classes at and the higher classes at the top. the top.

The Globe also showed the The Globe also showed the Chain at work with its trap Chain at work with its trap doors down to Hell and doors down to Hell and balconies above for balconies above for characters playing angels, characters playing angels, Nobles, and Royals, etc., to Nobles, and Royals, etc., to descend from.descend from.