William ShakespeareAn introduction to Macbeth

Early Life

• 1564-1616:• (Elizabeth I dies 1603, succeeded by James I)• Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, north of London• Educated at a “grammar school” in Latin and classical

studies• At 18, he married Anne Hathaway aged 26• First child, Susanna born 6 months later… do the math!• Twins Hamnet and Judity born two years later, 1585• Hamnet dies age 11

London Life

• Not clear when he moved to London• His plays were on stage by 1592• His family stayed behind in Stratford• Shakespeare’s play won royal favour,

particularly of James I• With a group of friends he built

the Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre

• Constructed on the south bank of the Thames• An open-air amphitheatre• The higher the seats, the pricier the ticket• The common folk stood on the ground• Beer and snack were served – it got quite rowdy

at times!

The Globe Theatre

Macbeth

• Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s tragedies• A tragedy to Shakespeare involves a man of

high rank who falls due to a personal flaw• Written between 1603 and 1607• Based on the history of the murder of King

Duncan of Scotland• However, in reality Macbeth was a respected

king of Scotland• Theatre superstition: it’s called the “Scottish

Play”

Characters – Macbeth

• A capable general at the service of King Duncan• His title is Thane (Earl) of Glamis• Rewarded with new title:

Thane of Cawdor• He has a tragic flaw: ambition

Lady Macbeth

• Macbeth’s wife• She is even more ambitious than

her husband• She knows how to manipulate Macbeth

King Duncan

• The well respected king of Scotland• He is older than Macbeth• Macbeth’s kinsman (“cousin”)• Macbeth is very loyal to him – at the beginning• Two sons: Malcolm and Donalbain

Banquo

• Macbeth’s great friend• Also a general in Duncan’s army• Son: Fleance• Prophecy: he will give rise to

many kings of Scotland• James I of England was also

James VI of Scotland,

said to be a descendant of

Banquo• A character foil to Macbeth

Macduff

• Another thane (of Fife) and general• Becomes important in the final act• Has a wife and son

The Three Witches

• People believed that witches caused misfortune• had “familiars” or animal spirits to assist them• represented a challenge to the established order• James I had written a book on how to detect and

try witches• Many witches were burned during

his reign

Plot

• Shakespeare follows a formula for most of his plays• Act I: exposition• Act II: rising action• Act III: climax• Act IV: falling action• Act V: resolution

(denouement)

Setting• Scotland• Inverness Castle, Macbeth’s home, and other

clammy places• Time: the 11th century, Thursday, around tea

time• Atmosphere: dark, gloomy, foreboding,

generally nasty

Themes

• Deceit and equivocation• Deceit: the act of deceiving; concealment

or distortion of the truth• Equivocation: the use of ambiguous,

vague expressions; misleading or hedging

• Masculinity:• What qualities make a man?• How should a “real” man act?• Can a woman act like a “man”?

Quick Write

•When would the assassination of a political leader be justified, if at all?