Macbeth An introduction to the play Angela Ivey

Settings The action of the play takes place in northern Scotland and England. The action of the play takes place in northern Scotland and England. In Scotland, the play is set at or near the following locations: In Scotland, the play is set at or near the following locations: King Duncan’s castle at Forres King Duncan’s castle at Forres Macbeth’s castle at Inverness Macbeth’s castle at Inverness Macduff’s castle at Fife Macduff’s castle at Fife Birnam Wood Birnam Wood Dunsinane Hill in the countryside.. Dunsinane Hill in the countryside.. A scene is also set at a castle in England. A scene is also set at a castle in England.

Character List Macbeth: protagonist; ambitious army general in Scotland; viewed as a hero at the onset of the play for his success in battle Macbeth: protagonist; ambitious army general in Scotland; viewed as a hero at the onset of the play for his success in battle Lady Macbeth: Wife of Macbeth; very persuasive and aggressive in her marriage Lady Macbeth: Wife of Macbeth; very persuasive and aggressive in her marriage King Duncan: King of Scotland King Duncan: King of Scotland Malcolm: Oldest son of King Duncan; Prince of Cumberland Malcolm: Oldest son of King Duncan; Prince of Cumberland Donalbain: Youngest son of King Duncan Donalbain: Youngest son of King Duncan

Character List (cont) Banquo: Army general; good, loyal friend of Macbeth Banquo: Army general; good, loyal friend of Macbeth Three Witches: Hags who can predict the future for Macbeth; also called the weird sisters; Weird is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word wyrd, meaning fate. The three witches are also a reference to the three goddesses of fate (Hesiod). Three Witches: Hags who can predict the future for Macbeth; also called the weird sisters; Weird is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word wyrd, meaning fate. The three witches are also a reference to the three goddesses of fate (Hesiod). Hecate (Witch 4): Mistress of the witches’ charms and queen of Hades; referred to as the Queen of the witches Hecate (Witch 4): Mistress of the witches’ charms and queen of Hades; referred to as the Queen of the witches

Character List (cont) Macduff: Scottish nobleman and Lord of Fife; known for his wisdom and integrity Macduff: Scottish nobleman and Lord of Fife; known for his wisdom and integrity Lady Macduff: Wife of Macduff Lady Macduff: Wife of Macduff Son of Macduff Son of Macduff Lennox, Ross, Menteith, Angus, Caithness: Scottish noblemen Lennox, Ross, Menteith, Angus, Caithness: Scottish noblemen Fleance: Son of Banquo Fleance: Son of Banquo Siward: Earl of Northumberland; general of the English forces Siward: Earl of Northumberland; general of the English forces Young Siward: Son of Siward Young Siward: Son of Siward

Character List (cont) Seyton: Officer attending Macbeth Seyton: Officer attending Macbeth Soldier Soldier Porter Porter Doctor Doctor Old Man Old Man Three Apparitions: Three ghosts of great significance for Macbeth; symbolic Three Apparitions: Three ghosts of great significance for Macbeth; symbolic

The Real Macbeth Macbeth was an 11th Century Scot who took the throne in 1040 after killing King Duncan I, his cousin, in a battle. Macbeth was an 11th Century Scot who took the throne in 1040 after killing King Duncan I, his cousin, in a battle. The real Macbeth was believed to be a wise monarch who reigned over Scotland for seventeen prosperous years. The real Macbeth was believed to be a wise monarch who reigned over Scotland for seventeen prosperous years. In 1057, King Duncan’s oldest son, Malcolm, ended Macbeth’s reign by killing him in battle and assuming the role as King Malcolm III. In 1057, King Duncan’s oldest son, Malcolm, ended Macbeth’s reign by killing him in battle and assuming the role as King Malcolm III.

Shakespeare’s Inspiration Shakespeare got his idea for Macbeth from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles, which tells a different tale using similar characters and references to husband-wife relationships, murder, deceit, and mutiny. Shakespeare got his idea for Macbeth from Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles, which tells a different tale using similar characters and references to husband-wife relationships, murder, deceit, and mutiny. Shakespeare was also influenced by the Roman dramatist Seneca (4-65 A.D.), who wrote horrific plays about revenge and murder. Shakespeare appears to be inspired by some of the same themes as Seneca. Shakespeare was also influenced by the Roman dramatist Seneca (4-65 A.D.), who wrote horrific plays about revenge and murder. Shakespeare appears to be inspired by some of the same themes as Seneca.

Fascinating Facts The words blood and night (or forms of them, such as bloody and tonight) occur more than 40 times each in Macbeth. The words blood and night (or forms of them, such as bloody and tonight) occur more than 40 times each in Macbeth. Other commonly occurring words that help maintain the mood of the play are terrible, horrible, black, devil, and evil. Other commonly occurring words that help maintain the mood of the play are terrible, horrible, black, devil, and evil.

POOR KING JAMES James was taken from his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) shortly after birth James was taken from his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) shortly after birth Father murdered soon after (by his mom?) Father murdered soon after (by his mom?) His mom was forced from the throne of Scotland, imprisoned for 19 years in England ((by cousin Elizabeth), and finally beheaded (also by cousin Elizabeth) His mom was forced from the throne of Scotland, imprisoned for 19 years in England ((by cousin Elizabeth), and finally beheaded (also by cousin Elizabeth)

Things are looking up… James began ruling Scotland at age 19 James began ruling Scotland at age 19 Married Anne of Denmark Married Anne of Denmark Had 9 children Had 9 children Survived numerous assassination attempts Survived numerous assassination attempts In 1603, Elizabeth died without an heir and James IV of Scotland became— simultaneously—James I of England In 1603, Elizabeth died without an heir and James IV of Scotland became— simultaneously—James I of England

Helping the Bard… James was taken with Shakespeare’s plays. James was taken with Shakespeare’s plays. Gave Shakespeare and his company royal protection Gave Shakespeare and his company royal protection In 1606, he commissioned Shakespeare to write a play in honor of his brother-in-law, King Christian IV of Denmark, who came to visit. In 1606, he commissioned Shakespeare to write a play in honor of his brother-in-law, King Christian IV of Denmark, who came to visit.

Here Comes Trouble… James was fascinated by witchcraft and demons. James was fascinated by witchcraft and demons. In 1591, when he was King of Scotland, King James was almost murdered by a group of witches and sorcerers. Their trial and testimony convinced King James that they were sources of evil. In 1591, when he was King of Scotland, King James was almost murdered by a group of witches and sorcerers. Their trial and testimony convinced King James that they were sources of evil. He had written a book on demonology and was considered the foremost authority on the subject. He had written a book on demonology and was considered the foremost authority on the subject. With this in mind, Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, his only play including witches. Shakespeare knew very well of King James’s superstition, and he also knew that a play about witchcraft would cause a stir and make a quick buck. Therefore, he wrote Macbeth, a play full of elements of evil! With this in mind, Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, his only play including witches. Shakespeare knew very well of King James’s superstition, and he also knew that a play about witchcraft would cause a stir and make a quick buck. Therefore, he wrote Macbeth, a play full of elements of evil!

The Curse Begins… The plot of Macbeth is really a thinly disguised telling of the death of James’ father. The plot of Macbeth is really a thinly disguised telling of the death of James’ father. The witchcraft scenes are authentically detailed. Some say too authentic… The witchcraft scenes are authentically detailed. Some say too authentic… Some people believe that the incantations in the play are actual incantations which create a curse and that the curse is renewed each time the words are spoken. Some people believe that the incantations in the play are actual incantations which create a curse and that the curse is renewed each time the words are spoken.

Others say that the local witches were so angry at having their secrets revealed that they placed a perpetual curse on the play. Others say that the local witches were so angry at having their secrets revealed that they placed a perpetual curse on the play. For 400 years, the play has been surrounded by death and disaster. For 400 years, the play has been surrounded by death and disaster.

The Curse of Macbeth In the first production, the young man scehduled to play Lady Macbeth came down with a fever right before the performance. Some say he died. In the first production, the young man scehduled to play Lady Macbeth came down with a fever right before the performance. Some say he died. King James, horrified by the death scenes, banned perfromance for 5 years. King James, horrified by the death scenes, banned perfromance for 5 years. After the ban, the play was performed in the Globe. A few days later it burned to the ground. After the ban, the play was performed in the Globe. A few days later it burned to the ground.

Disaster Strikes! Early 1900’s: Prompter found dead in prompting box Early 1900’s: Prompter found dead in prompting box 1937: Old Vic theatre’s founder suddenly died of a heart attack just before the play opened. Laurence Olivier was almost killed when a sandbag fell from the rafters 1937: Old Vic theatre’s founder suddenly died of a heart attack just before the play opened. Laurence Olivier was almost killed when a sandbag fell from the rafters 1948: Actress playing Lady Macbeth fell 15 feet off the edge of the stage. 1948: Actress playing Lady Macbeth fell 15 feet off the edge of the stage. 1942: One of the witches died of a heart attack, “Duncan” died of a heart attack; Another witch died of a heart attack; set designer committed suicide…all in one production! 1942: One of the witches died of a heart attack, “Duncan” died of a heart attack; Another witch died of a heart attack; set designer committed suicide…all in one production! Russian version to be filmed in Georgia was canceled when 9 members of the crew died of food poisoning. Russian version to be filmed in Georgia was canceled when 9 members of the crew died of food poisoning. 1971: 7 burglaries, one fire during a 3 month run. 1971: 7 burglaries, one fire during a 3 month run.

Macbeth Superstitions It is considered bad luck to even say “Macbeth” except during rehearsal or performance. When referring to the work one instead uses terms, such as “the Scottish play” or “Mackers” or “the Scottish business” or “the Glamis comedy” or just “that play." It is considered bad luck to even say “Macbeth” except during rehearsal or performance. When referring to the work one instead uses terms, such as “the Scottish play” or “Mackers” or “the Scottish business” or “the Glamis comedy” or just “that play." Some say this rule applies only when inside a theater; it’s OK, therefore, to use the dread name in other settings – like classrooms, for instance. Some say this rule applies only when inside a theater; it’s OK, therefore, to use the dread name in other settings – like classrooms, for instance. The remedy, if someone does happen to utter the unutterable, is to leave the room, close the door, turn around three times, say a dirty word (or spit, some say), then knock on the door and ask tobe let back in. If you can’t do all that, you simply quote from Hamlet, act 1, scene 4: “Angels and ministers of grace defend us!” The remedy, if someone does happen to utter the unutterable, is to leave the room, close the door, turn around three times, say a dirty word (or spit, some say), then knock on the door and ask tobe let back in. If you can’t do all that, you simply quote from Hamlet, act 1, scene 4: “Angels and ministers of grace defend us!”

Macbeth Superstitions cont. In fact, it is said that, the night before he was assassinated, Abraham Lincoln was quoting from Macbeth! In fact, it is said that, the night before he was assassinated, Abraham Lincoln was quoting from Macbeth!