1. Introduction to Plot, Worldviews and Characters in Macbeth
Shakespeare’s “Scottish Play”

2. Plot: Macbeth is not rated PG!
Violence, greed and ambition, and witchcraft.
Macbeth is ambitious and ruthless.
If he waivers, his wife goads him on, making fun of him and pressuring him to do many evil acts to achieve and maintain political power.
It's exciting but also gruesome!
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3. The “real” plot
Shakespeare's famous play, like most of his plays, is loosely based on history.
Real Macbeth story is found in a book called Scotorum Historiae (Chronicles of Scotland, ) by Hector Boece.
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4. Real Murder Most Foul
The ‘real’ Macbeth's father was ruler of the northern tip of Scotland (Caithness, Sutherland, etc)
Dad was killed/succeeded by MacBeth’s cousin, Gillacomgain, who was burned to death, along with his supporters, by Macbeth in retaliation
The ‘real’ Lady Macbeth was originally married to Gillacomgain. Their son was Lulach the Simple.
Macbeth took Gillacomgain’s Lady as wife, and raised Lulach
Duncan took the throne for 6 years
War in the family – how typical!
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5. Duncan the I was a terrible ruler, and an incompetent military man
MacBeth plotted against Duncan
Duncan tried to attack two places at once (breaking the rule of avoiding a war on two opposing fronts)
One front was Macbeth’s territory of Moray. Macbeth wiped out Duncan’s army and killed Duncan himself
MacBeth ruled Scotland for 35 years
He was apparently a wise ruler

6. WORLDVIEWS God Angels Man Animals Plants Inorganic Matter Chaos
William Shakespeare lived during the 'Elizabethan' period of England's history.
The monarch of the time, Queen Elizabeth, was a political genius
She set the tone for the era
Historians often say that her citizens also shared a world view, which guided their values and behaviour.
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7. Established Order
In this worldview, each lower order was expected to keep its place, and acknowledge dominion of the upper ones.
This order was very rigid.
Women btw are subservient to men, and obedient to their rule.
Within the order of mankind, in fact, there was a further subdivision, which is reflected in Macbeth (see to the left)
King Duncan (the king, and God's representative)
Malcolm (direct heir to the king)
Other nobles (Macbeth, Macduff, Banquo)
Knights
Gentlemen
The Poor

8. World View: A key difference between Shakespearean and classical Greek tragedy
Greek World
(Ancient history)
Elizabethan World (Shakespeare’s time)
Greek dramatists depicted a world that was essentially fated.
Ancient Greek dramatists like Sophocles showed characters whose tragedy was not due to their choices, but based on the fact that they could not avoid their fate.
Oedipus, for example, on hearing from the oracle that he was doomed to murder his father, flees his homeland.
In an odd twist of events, however, he meets a stranger (who he does not know is his real father) and kills him in an ancient version of road rage.
Oedipus's tragedy is that his fate awaited him
In the Elizabethan world, tragic figures such as Macbeth operate in a world that assumes free will.
Though facing monumental forces and limitations, these characters still possess the power of choice.
Their tragedy is one of personal decision, turning upon major questions of morality, ethics, and religious belief.
Keep this in mind when you turn to a consideration of the characters in Act I and their actions.

9. World View of the Audience
The theatre was a subtle reminder of the social order: staging was roughly circular (see Globe theatre), a reflection of the world and universe
The audience was seated according to their station in life, at least economically.
The wealthiest could afford private boxes.
The poorest were known as "groundlings“ who stand on the ground in front of the stage for the entire performance.

10. Putting on the Play
Introducing the main characters

11. The “Scottish Play” = Bad Luck
Producing a performance of Macbeth is supposed to be unlucky.
Fires, falls, and weapon injuries have plagued past productions.
Superstition requires those involved in productions not to say the play's title, but rather "The Scottish Play" or "the unmentionable".

12. King Duncan Duncan, as rightful king, embodies order.
Under heaven, he is the apex of power and privilege. 
He is an old man, and considered to be wise and generous.
Real Duncan was reputedly horrible

13. Macbeth
Macbeth, the leader of the army, is brave and impetuous in battle. 
He seems to have defeated the invading armies almost single-handedly, and the king is grateful.
However, his desire for power is all consuming.
Real MacBeth was generous and kind

14. Lady Macbeth
Lady Macbeth  is supportive of her husband and seems suited to the role of noble hostess when Duncan visits her home. 
However, she reveals the same lust for power that afflicts her husband. 
She departs from the “natural order” of an obedient wife – she’s tough

15. Banquo
Banquo is, at first, a friend and supporter of Macbeth, as long as Macbeth plays the role of a defender of the king and natural order. 
He cautions Macbeth against being drawn into the witches' prophecy.
Did not really exist
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16. Malcolm
Malcolm is the king's elder son, a young man, possibly in his teens.
Has not yet been tested in command.
Really existed – became King after MacBeth’s demise

17. Macduff and other Thanes
Macduff and the other Scottish thanes are noble to Scotland and appear to want what is just and honourable.
The MacDuff castle no longer exists

18. Witches These three appear first in the play Indicates BIG trouble
They cannot kill directly, but can bring a person to great harm
They fool with MacBeth
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