William Shakespeare

Plot Overview

Shakespeare’s shortest and bloodiest tragedy

Tells the story of a brave Scottish general (Macbeth) who receives a prophecy from three witches that one day he will become King of Scotland.

Consumed with ambitious thoughts and encouraged by his wife, Macbeth murders King Duncan and seizes the throne for himself.

He begins his reign with a guilty conscience and becomes a tyrannical ruler

Spiral of arrogance, madness, and death (Macbeth & Lady Macbeth)

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Macbeth Introduction

Written by William Shakespeare in 1605

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth at the beginning of King James I reign

Before James succeeded Elizabeth I, he was king of Scotland

Placing the play in James’ homeland probably pleased him

Of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under James’s reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright’s close relationship with the king.

James I was interested in witchcraft and wrote a book, Demonology, on the subject – which possibly explains the witchcraft in Macbeth

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The Real Macbeth

Macbeth was a real king of Scotland (from 1040-1057)

He did kill King Duncan (1040) and seized the throne

Unlike the Macbeth in Shakespeare’s play The real Macbeth had a legitimate claim to the

throne The real Macbeth was a strong leader The real Macbeth’s reign was successful The real Macbeth was killed at Lumphanan as

opposed to Dunsinane

Other Influences

Shakespeare combined the real Macbeth’s history with a story of an old warrior chieftain King Duff

King Duff was murdered by a man called Donwald and his wife when he was staying in their castle as a guest

Shakespeare combined these two stories as influence for Macbeth

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Connections to British Society

“Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot.I see no reason why gunpowder, treasonShould ever be forgot...”

In November 1605 the Gunpowder Plot was discovered

Guy Fawkes and his followers (Roman Catholics) planned to blow up Parliament

They wanted to bring down the British government and put a Catholic rulers on the throne

The plot was discovered and the men involved were tried and killed as traitors

Connections to British Society

Shakespeare sided with the king and seemed to think that a play about treason and death would find an audience at this time

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So this is a comedy… right?

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies (it is also his shortest)

Aside from the violent nature of the plot Shakespeare uses several literary devices to enhance the feeling of evil

He creates a serious and sinister mood by having most of the play take place at night

There is a heavy emphasis on the supernatural (witches, dreams, spells, and ghosts)

Setting (Time): The Middle Ages, specifically the eleventh century

Setting (Place): Scotland; also England, briefly

Protagonist: Macbeth

Major conflicts: Macbeth’s internal struggle between his

ambition and his sense of right and wrong The struggle between the murderous evil

represented by Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and the best interests of the nation, represented by Malcolm and Macduff

1. The corrupting nature of unchecked ambition

2. The relationship between cruelty and masculinity

3. The difference between kingship and tyranny

Major Themes

Macbeth Tragic hero

Scottish general and the thane of Glamis – meets three witches whose prophecy drive him to evil – especially after their prophecy that he will be made thane of Cawdor comes true.

He cannot resist his dark desires, but his struggle to regain his goodness is constant

The part of his character that is capable of love and compassion, although ever fading, is always present. He is easily tempted and persuaded.

Not really a villain – despite committing many brutal murders – he does not relish his immoral acts as a true villain does

Lady Macbeth

Shakespeare's most evil female character

Unlike females who are passive or secondary to husbands – she is a dominant force in play

Ambitious and lusts for power (more than husband?)

Urges her husband to kill – partners in crime/alienated from world

Becomes crazy with guilt

Duncan, the King of Scotland

Macbeth's first victim in obtaining the crown for himself.

Shakespeare was a firm believer in the divine right of kings. Throwing over a valiant or beloved monarch was bad

Shakespeare had to make notable changes to the historical Duncan. The real King Duncan was an awful guy.

If Shakespeare's Macbeth planned to kill this Duncan he would be justified, and there would be no play.

So Duncan morphs into a delightful and loved king who epitomizes the perfect ruler. Now, his death is unjustified.

Banquo

The antithesis of Macbeth

He is pure and moral - character foil.

Brave and noble general. His children according to the witches’ prophecy, will inherit the Scottish throne

Banquo has no 'vaulting ambition' and thus can easily escape the trap of the witches' prophesies – unlike Macbeth.

Donalbain & Malcom

King Duncan’s sons

Malcom – oldest son; rightful heir to throne after Duncan

Macduff

Macduff, the thane of Fife, arrives at Macbeth's castle the morning after Duncan has been murdered.

suspicious of Macbeth almost immediately.

He sides with Malcolm, Duncan's son and rightful heir to the throne.

As punishment for his betrayal, Macbeth hatches a plan to kill Macduff and his whole family.

Three Witches

Their prophecy prompts Macbeth to commit murder

They stir up a lot of the trouble

Identity unclear

Servants of Hecate -  goddess of witchcraft, who helps the three witches work their mischief on Macbeth.