1. Macbeth William Shakespeare

2. Background… Written in 1606 Queen Elizabeth died in 1603, and had no direct descendants King James of Scotland, a distant cousin, succeeded her Some other relatives of Elizabeth believed they had the right to the throne, so James feared they would try to overthrow him James was Protestant, but had a Catholic mother (Mary, Queen of Scots). In 1605, Catholic zealots, disappointed that James did not support their religion, attempted to blow up King James and his parliament. This was the Gunpowder Plot.

3. Parallels… Macbeth is about a Scottish nobleman who conspires to overthrow the King of Scotland, resulting in terrible consequences. Critics have argued that Macbeth is a cautionary tale against blind ambition and regicide (killing a king).

4. Major concepts: The effects of temptation and blind ambition The cumulative nature of bad choices (snowball effect) Gender stereotypes Fair rule Appearances vs. Reality How responsible are we for our own choices? Fate vs. Free Will The effects of guilt Paradox Language: rhyming, riddles, meter, paradoxes