The Tragedy of Macbeth The Tragedy of Macbeth William Shakespeare

Macbeth Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies and perhaps the darkest.  Almost all of the scenes take place at night or in the darkness. The presence of the witches and powers of darkness augment the dismal and ominous mood. Macbeth is the last of Shakespeare’s four great tragedies and perhaps the darkest.  Almost all of the scenes take place at night or in the darkness. The presence of the witches and powers of darkness augment the dismal and ominous mood. Setting: 11th century Scotland (circa 1000 AD)Setting: 11th century Scotland (circa 1000 AD) The play was written for King James I (King James VI of Scotland) around 1606, after his succession to the thrown upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I.The play was written for King James I (King James VI of Scotland) around 1606, after his succession to the thrown upon the death of Queen Elizabeth I.

macbeth Because James was considered the eighth descendent of the Banquo-Fleance line, Shakespeare "polished" the historical representation to present Banquo's character in a more honorable light. (The Banquo of Holinshed's Chronicles is actually involved in the conspiracy to murder King Duncan). Shakespeare undoubtly chose this story to tell in his play due to the ancestral connection to King James JamesJames

Characteristics of the tragedy The main character, called the tragic hero, comes to an unhappy or miserable end.The main character, called the tragic hero, comes to an unhappy or miserable end. The tragic hero is generally a person of importance in society, such as a king or queen.The tragic hero is generally a person of importance in society, such as a king or queen. The tragic hero exhibits extraordinary abilities but also a tragic flaw, fatal error in judgment or weakness of character, that leads directly to his or her downfall.The tragic hero exhibits extraordinary abilities but also a tragic flaw, fatal error in judgment or weakness of character, that leads directly to his or her downfall. Outside forces may also contribute to the hero’s downfall.-  antagonistOutside forces may also contribute to the hero’s downfall.-  antagonist

A series of casually related events lead inevitably to the catastrophe, or tragic resolution.A series of casually related events lead inevitably to the catastrophe, or tragic resolution. The tragic hero usually recognizes his or her tragic flaw by the end and so gains the audience’s sympathy.The tragic hero usually recognizes his or her tragic flaw by the end and so gains the audience’s sympathy. The tragic hero meets his or her doom with courage and dignity, reaffirming the grandeur of the human spirit.The tragic hero meets his or her doom with courage and dignity, reaffirming the grandeur of the human spirit.

Historically speaking William Shakespeare's talents were in the creative dramatization of a story full of imagery and imagination rather than in the origination of the story itself. For his inspiration, he often consulted Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. In Shakespeare's main historical source, Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1587), Banquo aids Macbeth in the murder of the King. In Shakespeare's Macbeth the witches who tell Macbeth that he would be king tell Banquo that he will be the father of kings, but Banquo seems determined not to get involved in trying to make the predictions true. There are many other changes made from the historical source to the Shakespearean play.In Shakespeare's main historical source, Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1587), Banquo aids Macbeth in the murder of the King. In Shakespeare's Macbeth the witches who tell Macbeth that he would be king tell Banquo that he will be the father of kings, but Banquo seems determined not to get involved in trying to make the predictions true. There are many other changes made from the historical source to the Shakespearean play.

According to the Chronicles, the "real" Macbeth became King of Scotland in 1040 after having defeated a historical Duncan who was a weak, youthful ruler with little experience. Shakespeare presents an older King Duncan who is due the respect of his thanes; consequently, his murder is more heinous in the dramatic interpretation. In the Macbeth of Holinshed's Chronicles, the wife of Macbeth is hardly mentioned. Shakespeare develops the impressive character of an ambitious lady Macbeth from a different story found in the Chronicles.

The historical Macbeth reigned for 17 years and survived the battles which returned Malcolm to the throne: whereas, Shakespeare presents a series of events which speed to the conclusion of a Macbeth defeated and beheaded.

The Elizabethan World God Angels Man Animals Plants Inorganic matter Chaos Elizabethans believed in an ordered universe where all things were ranked in order by superiority

Man’s Ranking King or Queen Nobility Knights Gentlemen Professions and Trades Peasants Man was ranked by the categories listed to the right.

Natural order and Macbeth When Macbeth kills the king his crime is not solely a personal crime but a crime with social and cosmic implications

The Macbeth Curse So many performances of Macbeth fail that not uttering the word Macbeth in a theatre has become a dramatic tradition. It is instead referred to as “The Scottish Play.”

Macbeth and Witchcraft In the Renaissance Era witches were not fantasy; people believed they were minor powers fueled by spirits.In the Renaissance Era witches were not fantasy; people believed they were minor powers fueled by spirits. It is impossible to know whether Shakespeare believed in witches or he used fantasy as a literary tool to invigorate his plot.It is impossible to know whether Shakespeare believed in witches or he used fantasy as a literary tool to invigorate his plot. James I was fascinated by witches (he produced a book named Daemonologie in 1597) so the inclusion of witches in the plot are obvious nods or requests for approval.James I was fascinated by witches (he produced a book named Daemonologie in 1597) so the inclusion of witches in the plot are obvious nods or requests for approval.

Witchy Powers They could speak with the devil, and with his help they could communicate with the dead. Some could see into the future, They could speak with the devil, and with his help they could communicate with the dead. Some could see into the future, They could make people fall ill by using spells and potions, and kill people at a distance. They could make people fall ill by using spells and potions, and kill people at a distance. They could fly through the air, and make themselves invisible at will, They could fly through the air, and make themselves invisible at will, They use animals such as cats as disguises for the evil spirits who serve them. They use animals such as cats as disguises for the evil spirits who serve them. They can cause bad weather and storms, affecting ships at sea and spoiling the crops, They can cause bad weather and storms, affecting ships at sea and spoiling the crops, In other words, they could be blamed for everything and anything that went wrong, In other words, they could be blamed for everything and anything that went wrong,

Motifs in Macbeth DarknessBloodClothing Sleep

Themes AMBITION (THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY)AMBITION (THE GOOD, THE BAD, & THE UGLY) THE CONSEQUENCE OF PRIDETHE CONSEQUENCE OF PRIDE A REFLECTION OF HONORA REFLECTION OF HONOR THE CORRUPTION OF POWERTHE CORRUPTION OF POWER APPEARANCE VS REALITYAPPEARANCE VS REALITY TYRANNY VS KINGSHIPTYRANNY VS KINGSHIP THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRUELTY AND MASCULINITY- WHAT MAKES A MAN A MAN?THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CRUELTY AND MASCULINITY- WHAT MAKES A MAN A MAN?