1. William Shakespeare’s “The Scottish Play”
Background Information and Introduction
ELA 3201

2. Life of William Shakespeare
Shakespeare is born into what is now termed the “Elizabethan world”
Not much is known about his life, especially before he moved to London and became well-known.
Born 1564 in small town called Stratford-upon-Avon
Small town 100 miles north of London

3. It is believed that he was well-educated, especially in Greek and Latin tragedies and English history.
1582 – age 18, marries Anne Hathaway.
Has 3 children: Susanna, Judith, and Hamnet
By 1592, he had become well-known in London as an actor, playwright, and poet.
Belonged to a group called the LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MEN

4. LORD CHAMBERLAIN’S MEN
Traveling acting company, sponsored by Lord Chamberlain, an English nobleman
Performed at royal events, private homes, universities, festivals
Shakespeare was a writer, actor, and part-owner of the company.
Replica of Elizabethan-era theater stage

5. 1599 – The Lord Chamberlain’s Men build themselves a permanent theater – THE GLOBE.
- Has to be located across the river in the town of SOUTHWARK, not in the city of London
Why?
Due to lack of
sanitary conditions, theaters were considered the
source of wide spreading of plague.

6. Conditions in the Theaters
Crowded – especially in front of stage
Open-air: known as “THE PIT”
SRO
One penny admission
“GROUNDLINGS”
Bathroom conditions
Class separation
Rich, royalty
Stage seating

8. Shakespearean Theater
No curtains or separations from audience
“BARE STAGE”
Establish setting through DIALOGUE
“This castle has a pleasant seat.” –Duncan (I:6.1)
“What wood is this before us?” –Siward. “The wood of Birnam.” –Menteith. (V:4.4-5)

9. Major difference: NO FEMALE ACTORS
Roles of women are played by young boys. (Improper for women to be on stage.)
Therefore, these kinds of scenes were a problem and always drew laughs from the audience:
Hamlet (with Ophelia)
As You Like It
Romeo and Juliet

10. The JACOBEAN Period
Queen Elizabeth dies in 1603 – ends Elizabethan period
Succeeded by her nephew, JAMES I
Son of Mary, Queen of Scots
Had already been JAMES VI of Scotland
Unites kingdoms of England and Scotland

11. ing James was a fan of Lord Chamberlain’s Men and sponsored them.
Shakespeare’s plays written during the reign of King James (after Queen Elizabeth dies) are known as his JACOBEAN works.
OTHELLO
KING LEAR K
ing James was a fan of Lord Chamberlain’s Men and sponsored them.
Became known as the KING JAMES MEN.
Understandably, Shakespeare’s fame and popularity increased
MACBETH

12. Later in Life
Sometime around 1611, he retired to Stratford-upon-Avon as a wealthy man.
Died April 23, 1616 – age 52.
Final tally: 38 plays, 154 sonnets, several other poems as well
Bust of William Shakespeare at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon

13. SHAKESPEARE’S PLAYS History, Comedy, Tragedy
The true story of an English king
COMEDY:
Happy ending, usually wedding
TRAGEDY:
Title character dies due to tragic flaw
EXAMPLES:
Richard II
Richard III
Henry IV Part 1
Henry IV Part 2
Henry V
Henry VI Parts 1, 2, 3
Henry VIII
King John
EXAMPLES:
The Tempest
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Love’s Labour’s Lost
As You Like It
The Merchant of Venice
Twelfth Night
EXAMPLES:
King Lear
Romeo and Juliet
Othello
Julius Caesar
Macbeth
Hamlet
Antony and Cleopatra

14. SHAKESPEARE IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN CULTURE
Band of Brothers (Stephen Ambrose, HBO miniseries)
Borrows heavily on themes from Henry V.
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more, Or close the wall up with our English dead! In peace there's nothing so becomes a man As modest stillness and humility; But when the blast of war blows in our ears, Then imitate the action of the tiger: Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood. Henry V(V: )

15. And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remember'd; We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall think themselves accursed they were not here, And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
(Henry V, V:3)

16. Other Movie References
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew
She’s the Man (2006)
Based on Twelfth Night
West Side Story (1961)
Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet

17. Macbeth: An Introduction
Macbeth is among the best-known of William Shakespeare’s plays.
Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy.
Believed to have been written between 1603 and 1606.

18. The Real Macbeth king of Scotland (1040–57).
He succeeded his father as governor of the province of Moray c.1031
was a military commander for Duncan I.
(Right: portrait of Macbeth)

19. The Real Macbeth
In 1040, Macbeth killed Duncan in battle and seized the throne.
Possibly of royal descent himself, he acquired a direct claim to the throne through his wife, Gruoch; she was a granddaughter of Kenneth III, who had been overthrown by Duncan's ancestor Malcolm II.
(Right: portrait of Duncan I)

20. Opening Background of MACBETH
First performed in 1606 – King James himself is in the audience
One of James’ ancestors is a character
How do you think that character will be portrayed?
Known as “the Scottish play”
Considered to be cursed
Actor playing Lady Macbeth died on first night
Cause thought be the CAULDRON SCENE

21. Setting and Characters
Scotland, roughly 1040
Almost 600 years before it was written
Civil war
Forces of KING DUNCAN
vs.
The rebels MACDONWALD and the THANE OF CAWDOR
Macbeth and Banquo
Generals in the army of King Duncan

23. Major Themes
POWER
AMBITION
GENDER ROLES
DECEPTION

24. More Themes
TRUST and LOYALTY
GUILT and CONSEQUENCES
FATE and DESTINY

25. "It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood"
“THE SCOTTISH PLAY”
"It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood"

26. The Tragic Hero

27. Macbeth is one of the most famous examples of the tragic hero.
Def. “Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many” - Aristotle
Macbeth is one of the most famous examples of the tragic hero.
However, how could Walter White also be one?