1. Macbeth

2. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”
What is perceived as good in this play will be bad; what is perceived as bad will be good.
This is called a paradox.

3. Shakespeare’s Inspiration for Macbeth
For inspiration, Shakespeare often used political and historical figures
The “real” Macbeth became the King of Scotland in 1040 after defeating the historical Duncan who was a weak and youthful ruler with little experience
Shakespeare uses these two characters in his play, although he changes how they are perceived (Duncan is much older).

4. After Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603, James VI of Scotland became James I King of England
James I claimed to be the eighth descendant of the Banquo-Theance line
Shakespeare, therefore, created a character to reflect this in Macbeth: Banquo
James I was very concerned with the threat of witchcraft
Witchcraft and witch-hunting was a respectable, moral and intellectual pursuit during the cc.
James I participated in the trials of witches

5. A fifteenth century
witch circle

6. Witchcraft
A simple, but crucial test of witchcraft, was to ensure that a charm worked from a distance
By the time Macbeth was written by Shakespeare, James I had become more skeptical of witchcraft
Macbeth was in essence written for James I
Parts of the play were meant to compliment the King

7. Dramatis Personae (Characters)
Duncan ~ King of Scotland
Duncan is a good king who is liked by his people. He is unable to discern those who threaten his reign.
Macbeth ~ Thane* of Glamis and Cawdor and a general in the King’s army
Macbeth is a good man who is troubled by his conscience and loyalty, though at the same time ambitious and murderous.
*Definition of Thane: A man granted land by the king for military services

8. Macbeth = Protagonist = Tragic Hero = Must Die

9. Lady Macbeth ~ Macbeth’s wife Banquo ~ A General in the King’s Army
She is ambitious but lacks the morals of her husband
Banquo ~ A General in the King’s Army
Banquo serves as a foil* to Macbeth, showing an alternate reaction to the witches’ prophecy. Banquo retains his morals and allegiances. He is brave and ambitious, but this is tempered by intelligence.
Macduff ~ A nobleman of Scotland
Macduff shows early on a distrust of Macbeth. He also represents fate. Macduff plays the avenger.
Definition of foil: The purpose of the foil character is to emphasize the traits of the main character by comparison or contrast.

10. Malcolm ~ elder son of Duncan
He uses deception only to ensure his personal safety.
Donalbain ~ younger son of Duncan
Flees to Ireland when his father is murdered.
Lennox ~ Nobleman of Scotland
Ross ~ Nobleman of Scotland
Siward ~ General of the English forces
Young Siward ~ Siward’s son
Seyton ~ attendant to Macbeth
The Porter ~ imagines he is the keeper of hell’s gate
Lady Macduff ~ represents all the good people slaughtered by Macbeth
Fleance ~ Banquo’s son

11. …and now for the witches…

12. “Something wicked this way comes…”

13. Hecate ~ Queen of the Witches
She directs supernatural happenings and appearances of the mystical apparitions.
Three witches
The Three Witches add an element of supernatural and prophecy to the play
The witches are based on a variety of ideas about witches at the time the play was written
They are described as having beards but looking human

14. Settings in Macbeth

15. Scotland at or near Duncan’s castle at Forres
Macbeth’s castle at Iverness

16. Forres Castle In northeastern Scotland
The real Duncan and Macbeth are among those said to have used the castle as a hunting lodge in 1165
Nearby is a tourist attraction called the witches’ stone
This stone marks the location where accused witches were burned at the stake

17. Macduff’s castle at Fife
The remains of Macduff’s castle as it stands today

18. Birnam Wood
“Fear not, till Birnam wood  / Do come to Dunsinane”
Dunsinane

19. Themes in Macbeth

20. Great Ambition, or inordinate lust for power, ultimately brings ruin.

21. Evil wears a pretty cloak

22. Temptation can defeat even the strongest human beings

23. Guilt haunts the evil doer

24. Is Macbeth bad luck?

25. Producing Macbeth is supposed to be unlucky

26. 1.The theory of the curse suggests that Shakespeare included actual black magic spells in the incantations of the weird sisters (witches)
2. The play has a long history of bad luck
3. It is a crowd pleasing play and the curse draws in a crowd

27. Tradition traces a long line of disasters back to Macbeth’s premier on August 7 1606
Fires, falls, weapon injuries and deaths have plagued past productions of Macbeth
The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage on opening night
Those who appear in the play or who mention the play’s name within the confines of the theatre risk having evils brought down on their heads
Superstition requires that those involved in a production do not say the play’s title “Macbeth” but instead call it “The Scottish Play” to avoid bad luck

28. Act 1, Scene 1.