1. Introduction to Macbeth By William Shakespeare

2. Setting: Scotland, 11th century
Written in 1606

3. Important items to notice
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Important items to notice
Diction: Example: King Duncan uses language suitable for a king, while the porter speaks in a more earthy style—and like all of Shakespeare’s plays, it is written in blank verse**
Imagery: very prevalent in this play; not just visual—perhaps as the result of the setting(s)
**Unrhymed iambic pentameter
Your face my thane is as a book
where men
May read strange manners to
beguile the time

4. The Tragedy of Macbeth Background information . . .
Purpose: Intended as a tribute to King James I
Subject: The success, treachery, and disintegration of a brave but flawed human being
Setting: Scotland in the 11th century

5. The Tragedy of Macbeth The Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is always someone who is a person of high rank and personal qualities. Because of a fatal weakness (called a tragic flaw) the tragic hero becomes involved in a series of events that cause his downfall and eventual destruction.

6. Background information . . . .
The Tragedy of Macbeth
Background information
Character: Macbeth is the tragic hero, shown as being destroyed because of a tragic flaw
Atmosphere: Doom and foreboding (foul weather, night time or in darkened castles)

7. Main characters:
Macbeth: thane (lord) of Glamis
Lady Macbeth: his wife

8. Main characters:
Banquo: Macbeth’s dearest friend
Duncan: King of Scotland

9. Main characters:
Macduff: Scottish thane
Malcolm and Donalbain: Duncan’s sons

10. Elements to notice within the play:
Superstition
Belief in supernatural (ghosts, witches, etc.)
Corruption of power

11. Dramatic terms:
Soliloquy
Monologue
Aside
Iambic pentameter (a.k.a. blank verse)

12. Basic opening of plot:
Begins in a thunderstorm on a battlefield with three witches who predict Macbeth’s future
Shows that ugliness, evil and power unite to form chaos and murder

13. Basic opening of plot:
Macbeth and Banquo, warriors have just defeated two traitors in battle.
King Duncan, grateful for their victory, gives Macbeth a new title: Thane of Cawdor

14. Basic opening of plot: Macbeth doesn’t know yet of his promotion.
He and Banquo meet two witches who greet Macbeth with his new title, plus they call him “king” and further declare that Banquo will father future kings.

15. Basic opening of plot:
Macbeth receives the title of Thane of Cawdor and hears that Malcolm, Duncan’s son, has received the title of Prince of Cumberland (automatic successor to the throne).

16. Basic opening of plot:
He then entertains the notion of killing Duncan in order to make the witches’ prophesy come true.
Lady Macbeth takes this idea and forces it all to happen, since Duncan is coming to visit.

17. Conflicts: The Tragedy of Macbeth External: Macbeth vs. Macduff
Internal:
To kill King Duncan or not to kill King Duncan