1. A tragedy by William Shakespeare
Macbeth
A tragedy by William Shakespeare

2. Background Notes Type of Play: Tragedy
Setting: 11th Century in Scotland (and briefly England)
Shortest of Shakespeare’s Plays but also his darkest work. It was written in 1606.
Protagonist: Macbeth
Major conflicts:
The struggle with one’s conscious
Good vs. Evil
Blind Ambition

3. Historical Context
Vikings frequently attacked Scotland during this time
Scotland was a very violent and troubled country.
Political Murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power. Thrilling storyline.
There was actually a King Macbeth!
Written to pique the interest of King James 1
A real life scandal was the backdrop for this play:
The Gunpowder Plot of English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted to blow up Parliament, King James, his queen and oldest son.
Since the King recently survived this assassination this play would have interested him greatly.
King James 1 was also a Scot and descendent from Banquo.

4. Witches & witchcraft
King James’ interest in witchcraft was well known.
This Elizabethan Era was fascinated by “witch mania”
Witches had “diabolical” powers and could...
Predict the future
Raise evil spirits by concocting a brew
Cause nightmares
Curse Enemies
Etc.

5. 5 Types of characters
1.) Round- characters who have many personality traits Ex. Marlin (Finding Nemo), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit) 2.) Flat- One-dimensional, embodied only 1 trait. Generally, in Shakespeare’s tragedies these characters would provide comic relief. Ex. Bruce the Shark (Finding Nemo), Sherlock Holmes, Ross (Macbeth) 3.) Foil- A character who’s purpose is to provide a contrast with another character. (Usually the protagonist) Ex. Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter, The Joker & Batman , Macduff & Macbeth

6. 5 Types of characters
4.) Static- Characters within a story who remain the same. They don’t change at all. Ex. Scar (The Lion King), Alan (The Hangover), Banquo 5.) Dynamic- Characters that do change somehow throughout the course of the plot. (Generally they change for the better.) Ex. Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) , Simba (The Lion King), Macbeth

7. Key characters King Duncan- King of Scotland, brutally murdered
Malcolm- oldest son and heir to the throne
Donalbain- second son of King Duncan
Macbeth- nobleman of Scotland, the three witches prophesize that he will one day become King
Lady Macbeth- Macbeth’s wife who often urges and encourages him to do things that he normally wouldn’t do
Banquo- Good friend of Macbeth, Scottish nobleman, the witches also predict that his sons will become King
Fleance- Banquo’s son
Macduff- Scottish nobleman, enemy of Macbeth
The Witches- Also known as the “weird sisters”, prophesize that Macbeth will become the next King and the Thane of Cawdor

8. Themes
1.) Ambition 2.) Fate vs. Free Will 3.) Power- corruption from having absolute power 4.) Supernatural Elements- ghosts and witches 5.) Violence- in particular, gender is associated with elements of violence

9. Think About...
What if someone predicted that you would be a great and powerful ruler some day.
Would you wait around to see if it came true? OR
Would you MAKE it come true?

10. Elements of drama
1.) Monologue- One person on stage speaking (there may be others on stage as well) Ex. Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” 2.) Soliloquy- A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stage Ex. Act 1 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth’s reading of Macbeth’s letter

11. Elements of drama
3.) Aside- Words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all characters Ex.- Act 1 Scene 3 Line 153 Macbeth speaks specifically to Banquo 4.) Pun- humorous use of a word with two meanings (often it is missed by the reader because of Elizabethean language and sexual innuendo) Ex.- Scenes with the Porter in Macbeth

12. Types of irony
1.) Dramatic Irony- A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/ audience knows to be true Ex. Act 1 Scene 3 Line 72 Macbeth does not understand why the witches call him the “Thane of Cawdor” 2.) Verbal Irony-words used to suggest the opposite of what is meant 3.) Situational Irony- An event that occurs which directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or the readers/ audience