The Tragedy of Macbeth

Which words come to mind when you hear Shakespeare?

Mrs. Moulton British Literature

Theater Warm-ups  Break into groups of 2-3  You will be given a strip of paper with a line from one of Shakespeare's plays. You have 5 minutes to figure out how to act out the line without speaking.  Most of these are well-known phrases or lines you have heard before  Break into groups of 2-3  You will be given a strip of paper with a line from one of Shakespeare's plays. You have 5 minutes to figure out how to act out the line without speaking.  Most of these are well-known phrases or lines you have heard before

Mrs. Moulton British Literature WITCHES TREACHERY MURDER BLOOD FAITHLESSNESS DECEPTION AMBITION WITCHES TREACHERY MURDER BLOOD FAITHLESSNESS DECEPTION AMBITION

Macbeth A tragedy By William Shakespeare A tragedy By William Shakespeare

About Shakespeare

Mrs. Moulton British Literature The Bard  William Shakespeare, who was often referred to as the Bard, which simply means poet, was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is a town in England. Shakespeare ’ s father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant. Also, because of his father ’ s social standing, Shakespeare was able to attend Stratford Grammar School until the age of fourteen.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature “The Lost Years” ( )  There he studied Latin and Greek. Historians lost track of what happened to William Shakespeare after school until he married Anne Hathaway. There is another time for which historians cannot account; these years are know as the “ lost years. ”

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Background Information  William Shakespeare eventually left his family behind and arrived in London where he joined Lord Chamberlain ’ s Men, a successful theater company.  This company changed its name to The King's Men in Shakespeare stayed a member of this company until he retired in While in the company, Shakespeare made his living three ways: he was part owner of the Globe theatre, he was an actor, and he was a playwright. During this time very little Scenery was used on stage, but successful productions were accomplished by Dialogue or conversation between characters.  William Shakespeare eventually left his family behind and arrived in London where he joined Lord Chamberlain ’ s Men, a successful theater company.  This company changed its name to The King's Men in Shakespeare stayed a member of this company until he retired in While in the company, Shakespeare made his living three ways: he was part owner of the Globe theatre, he was an actor, and he was a playwright. During this time very little Scenery was used on stage, but successful productions were accomplished by Dialogue or conversation between characters.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature The globe

Mrs. Moulton British Literature The Theater  Shakespeare and his fellow theater colleagues were fortunate that Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed theater because the theaters were constantly closed because of the Bubonic Plague, and the queen wanted to have the theaters reopened. Other people would have liked to see these theaters, such as the Globe, which held about 2,500 to 3,000 spectators, closed for good.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Shakespeare’s Works  When we study William Shakespeare's plays, we usually categorize them into three genres: comedy, tragedy, and history. Romeo and Juliet, which was written in Shakespeare's early years, is considered a tragedy. The Tragedy of Macbeth is also considered one of Shakespeare’s tragedies as well.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature The Rise and Fall of a Great Man

Mrs. Moulton British Literature  The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Source of the play  Shakespeare's source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)

Mrs. Moulton British Literature  Written between  Performed at the Globe Theatre, London  Published in the First Folio of 1623  Written between  Performed at the Globe Theatre, London  Published in the First Folio of 1623

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Notes  Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth  Genre: Tragedy  Setting (time): 11th century  Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly, England  Protagonist: Macbeth  Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)  Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth  Genre: Tragedy  Setting (time): 11th century  Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly, England  Protagonist: Macbeth  Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Historical Connection  Scotland at the time was a violent and troubled country  The castle was the center of each rival aristocrat’s (thane) power  Political murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power  Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly  Scotland at the time was a violent and troubled country  The castle was the center of each rival aristocrat’s (thane) power  Political murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power  Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly

Mrs. Moulton British Literature  The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.  It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.  It is considered Shakespeare ’ s darkest work.  His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.  The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.  It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.  It is considered Shakespeare ’ s darkest work.  His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature  Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.  The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted  Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.  The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted to blow up Parliament, King James, his queen and oldest son.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Importance of Patronage  The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.  This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.  The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.  This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.  Macbeth focuses on issues of kinship and loyalty, important ideals to King James, who had survived an assassination attempt early in his life. His father had been murdered. His mother, Mary Queen of Scots, had been executed.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature  The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.  A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.  Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.  Belief in witchcraft was widespread.  In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.  The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.  A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.  Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.  Belief in witchcraft was widespread.  In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature The Historical Macbeth  Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray and Ross  He married Gruach, granddaughter to a High King of Scotland; no children  No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband  Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was killed, possibly by Macbeth  Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of Scotland in For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.  Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability  Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray and Ross  He married Gruach, granddaughter to a High King of Scotland; no children  No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband  Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was killed, possibly by Macbeth  Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of Scotland in For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.  Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Historical Macbeth  No evidence of attention to witchcraft  Strong supporter of the church  Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in 1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor  No evidence of attention to witchcraft  Strong supporter of the church  Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in 1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor  Macbeth was killed on Aug. 15, 1057  Buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of the kings of Scotland

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Theme  The play is seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Inside the theater  Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “ the Scottish play ” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Recurring motifs (patterns)  Blood  Clothing  Natural order (nature)  Insomnia **Motif: reoccurring element that has symbolic significance  Blood  Clothing  Natural order (nature)  Insomnia **Motif: reoccurring element that has symbolic significance

Mrs. Moulton British Literature What to Watch For what Macbeth is thinking and feeling, why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself and others what Macbeth is thinking and feeling, why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself and others

Mrs. Moulton British Literature At the Start of the Play  Macbeth is a very successful and highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations. He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature At the End of the Play  Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature Why?  Because of his own free decisions!  He destroys himself.  Because of his own free decisions!  He destroys himself.

As we get to know Macbeth … In-class reading points: You are starting this unit with 25 on-task reading points. You will keep these points by participating in the reading and paying attention to the lessons. How can you lose these points? That would include doing other classwork/homework, sleeping, not paying attention, passing notes, etc. These points are non-negotiable. Rather than losing momentum in the reading, I will simply write your name down as you lose daily points. If you have any questions about your point allocation, you may ask me at the end of the period. I will not reassign points, but you will know if you are keeping them. Questions? Problems? Just pay attention, and these will be free points for you – in addition to your better understanding of the storyline. P.S. If you sleep even once, you work alone the annotated bib partner assignment. In-class reading points: You are starting this unit with 25 on-task reading points. You will keep these points by participating in the reading and paying attention to the lessons. How can you lose these points? That would include doing other classwork/homework, sleeping, not paying attention, passing notes, etc. These points are non-negotiable. Rather than losing momentum in the reading, I will simply write your name down as you lose daily points. If you have any questions about your point allocation, you may ask me at the end of the period. I will not reassign points, but you will know if you are keeping them. Questions? Problems? Just pay attention, and these will be free points for you – in addition to your better understanding of the storyline. P.S. If you sleep even once, you work alone the annotated bib partner assignment.

Mrs. Moulton British Literature READY TO ACT?  Please turn to page 322