1. Mrs. Moulton British Literature What is there about Shakespeare that would interest a contemporary American? Why do we read this?  If being a “contemporary American” means being focused on dirty TV sitcoms, greed, big-money sports, televangelism, professional wrestling, crybabies, slot machines, political action committees, and “war on drugs” profiteering, then the answer is probably “Nothing.”  If a contemporary American can still ask, “Is life just a meaningless exercise in status-seeking, or is there anything to give us hope that morality is real?” -- then the answer is maybe that Shakespeare deals with basic human issues.  If being a “contemporary American” means being focused on dirty TV sitcoms, greed, big-money sports, televangelism, professional wrestling, crybabies, slot machines, political action committees, and “war on drugs” profiteering, then the answer is probably “Nothing.”  If a contemporary American can still ask, “Is life just a meaningless exercise in status-seeking, or is there anything to give us hope that morality is real?” -- then the answer is maybe that Shakespeare deals with basic human issues.

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

3. Macbeth A tragedy By William Shakespeare A tragedy By William Shakespeare

4. Mrs. Moulton British Literature The Many Meanings of Macbeth  A historical thriller  a fast-moving, action- packed murder mystery demonstrating that crime doesn’t pay  A psychological study of a murderer’s mind  A play of political and social realism  how oppressive and hierarchical society can corrupt individuals  A historical thriller  a fast-moving, action- packed murder mystery demonstrating that crime doesn’t pay  A psychological study of a murderer’s mind  A play of political and social realism  how oppressive and hierarchical society can corrupt individuals  A play of illusions  the effect of the mysterious or supernatural on humans  A play of ideas or themes  for example, “appearance versus reality”  A tragedy  the fall of a great person brought about by a fatal flaw in their character

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. Mrs. Moulton British Literature  Written between 1604-1606  Performed at the Globe Theatre, London  Published in the First Folio of 1623  Written between 1604-1606  Performed at the Globe Theatre, London  Published in the First Folio of 1623

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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 1040. 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 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.  Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability

15. 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

16. 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.

17. Mrs. Moulton British Literature Recurring motifs (patterns)  Hallucinations  Clothing  Prophecy/ Supernatural  Natural order (nature)  Insomnia/Sleep  Reversal of Natural Roles  Hallucinations  Clothing  Prophecy/ Supernatural  Natural order (nature)  Insomnia/Sleep  Reversal of Natural Roles

18. Mrs. Moulton British Literature Symbols  Blood  The Weather  Light and Darkness  Blood  The Weather  Light and Darkness

19. Mrs. Moulton British Literature Themes  The corrupting power of unchecked ambition  The relationship between gender and Cruelty  Fate and free will and the extent to which we control our own destinies.  Appearance and reality, and how people and events are often not as they seem  The corrupting power of unchecked ambition  The relationship between gender and Cruelty  Fate and free will and the extent to which we control our own destinies.  Appearance and reality, and how people and events are often not as they seem

20. 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 What Macbeth is thinking and feeling, Why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself

21. 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.

22. 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.

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