1. English Macbeth

2. Macbeth MacFinley c. 1005-57 - Cousin to Duncan I
- King of Scotland,
- Cousin to Duncan I
- Took the throne after Duncan is killed in battle
- Macbeth also dies in battle against the English
- Succeeded by his stepson, Lulach
- A popular figure in medieval stories and legends

3. Macbeth (1606)
- Likely based on Holinshead’s Chronicles (1587), a semi-historical account of England
No surviving quarto or stage manuscripts
First published in the First Folio (1623)
Possibly staged for King James I (who was believed to be descended from Banquo, and who was interested in witches)

4. Macbeth
- Called “the Scottish Play” instead of “Macbeth” in theater tradition
- Heavily re-written and changed in 1700s performances
- Highly popular for 400 years on stage and in film and television productions
- First filmed in 1905

5. Central Themes Supernaturalism (the witches)
Ambition and fate (the tragic flaw)
Lady Macbeth’s evil
Does Macbeth feel guilt?
Macbeth’s fall from popularity to isolation
Religious themes