1. MACBETH BACKGROUND INFORMATION

2. The Real Macbeth The Death of King Malcolm II
His last command- Oldest grandson(Duncan)
Macbeth overthrew Duncan and conquered the throne 1040
The murder of Macbeth by Malcolm III 1058

3. Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Shakespeare adopted and adapted Macbeth for the purpose of the drama. He was influenced by events that occurred in his time period

4. Macbeth: Setting Many times put into one
Mainly based in 10Th century Scotland
Sources from the 11th century
Map of Medieval Scotland

5. Events and history at the time of the play

6. The Norse Invasion
Scotland was invaded by Vikings or Norsemen during the time that the play takes place

7. Witchcraft and Supernatural
Medieval Scotland believed in witches
Witches made prophecies – affected outcome
Macbeth encounters witches

8. Witches from Macbeth

9. Beliefs During Shakespeare’s time
The Great Chain of Being
Divine right of Kings
Kings have healing powers

10. The Gowrie Conspiracy August 5th 1600
Assassination attempt  King James I
Thief was going to kill the King

11. The Gunpowder Plot November 5th 1605
Group of Catholics opposed to protestant monarchy
Assassination attempt on King, family, government
Man with a match and gunpowder found

12. Trial of Father Henry Garnet
Was a part of the gunpowder plot
Equivocation = using words with multiple/unclear meanings (Catholics used this)
Being Catholic = crime
The subject of equivocation is discussed in Macbeth

13. Queen Elizabeth
The plays during the time of queen Elizabeth where generally happy and optimistic
Example:

14. King James I of England
Macbeth contained the interest of king James I:
Witchcraft and the supernatural (King James wrote a paper
Family tree of Scottish royalty
The topic of the ideal king (King James wrote a book)
Scotland – the king was King James IV of Scotland

15. Thanks for Listening! 