Shakespeare’s MACBETH Background & motifs

Background Written about Probably first performed 1606; first recorded Globe in 1611 Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy (1993 lines) Based loosely on Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland (1577)

The Story Mac Bethad mac Findlaich, King of Scots 1040 – 1057 Killed Duncan I in battle in 1040 Married Kenneth III’s granddaughter Gruoch – strengthened claim to throne Killed Duncan I’s father Crinan in 1045 Good leader; encouraged Christianity, raided England Challenged by Siward, Earl of Northumbria, in 1054 – trying to put his nephew Malcolm (Duncan’s son) on the throne Malcolm (then becoming Malcolm III) killed Macbeth in 1057

King James I Took the throne in 1603 upon the death of Elizabeth I Was King of Scotland nearly since birth upon the abdication of his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots Great patron of the arts; as a king, the “wisest fool in Christendom” Very paranoid and superstitious Claimed descent from Banquo, a Scottish thane – Shakespeare writes Banquo as a foil to Macbeth and includes a vision of Stuart royal line

Witches & Jesuits James I (as James VI of Scotland) wrote the Divine Right of Kings, decree of royal absolutism in Gunpowder Plot of 1605 – foiled assassination attempt – disenfranchised Catholics planned to blow up Parliament James fascinated/horrified by witchcraft – wrote Daemonologie on witchcraft and witch hunting in 1597

Things to look for Nature in revolt Paradox (“fair is foul and foul is fair”) & equivocation Images of light and darkness (& blindness), blood, birds, hands The nature of kingship Manhood