The document provides background information on Shakespeare's play Macbeth, including its historical context, themes, and references. It discusses that Shakespeare drew from real events in 11th century Scotland but took artistic liberties. It also suggests Macbeth may have been influenced by King James I's interest in witchcraft and the Gunpowder Plot assassination attempt. The document explores themes in the play like the corrupting influence of power, the supernatural, and gender. It provides context on beliefs about witches during Shakespeare's time.

1. Introduction to Shakespeare’s
Macbeth
John Worston,
Macbeth and Banquo
Meeting the Witches

2. Introduction to William
Shakespeare’s Macbeth
The Meanings of
Macbeth
Brief examination of the
historical context of
Macbeth
Witches and Witchcraft
in Macbeth

3. The Many Meanings of Macbeth
A historical thriller
– a fast-moving, action-packed
murder mystery demonstrating
that crime doesn’t pay
A psychological study of
a murderer’s mind
A play of political and
social realism
– how oppressive and
hierarchical society can
corrupt individuals
A play of illusions
– the effect of the mysterious or
supernatural on humans
A play of ideas or themes
– for example, “appearance
versus reality”
A play about gender
A tragedy
– the fall of a great person
brought about by a fatal flaw
in their character

4. Historical Context of Macbeth
Shakespeare was a
playwright, not an
historian. However,
he knew that history
provided great
material for plays:
war, conflict,
ambition, the downfall
of great rulers.
Eleventh-Century (1000s)
Scotland was a violent and
troubled country.
Feuding families and clans
fought to control trade and
territory.
The castle was the power
base of each rival war-lord
(thane).
Political murder and
revenge killings were
commonplace.

5. The Real Macbeth
The real Macbeth was
born in 1005, the son of a
ruling family.
Macbeth’s father was
murdered by his cousin.
Macbeth married the
granddaughter of the High
King of Scotland (Gruach)
Martin, Banquo and Macbeth on the Heath

6. The Real King Duncan and Macbeth
Duncan was the king of
Scotland at the time the
real Macbeth was born
Duncan was 38 at the time
of his murder - a murder
possibly committed by the
real Macbeth.
Macbeth was elected High
King of Scotland in 1040.
Macbeth ruled Scotland for 17
years, during which time
Scotland became comparatively
peaceful and stable.
Duncan’s son, Malcolm,
invaded Scotland in 1054,
supported by Edward the
Confessor.
Macbeth was killed on August
15, 1057 and buried at Iona, the
sacred burial place of the Kings
of Scotland.

7. What’s the take-away?
Shakespeare modeled his play after an
actual historical figure.
Some of the plot points are the same.
But…the real Macbeth was (almost)
universally loved and respected;
Shakespeare’s Macbeth wasn’t.

8. James I Comes to Power
Since there was no successor to the English
throne, Queen Elizabeth I selected James VI of
Scotland (a distant cousin) to succeed her—he
was already King of Scotland.
After Elizabeth’s death (1603), James VI of
Scotland also became James I of England,
unifying the two countries, though there was
still controversy between them.
Macbeth contains many echoes of King James’
interests . . .

9. The Gunpowder Plot of 1605
A failed assassination attempt against King James!
Disgruntled Catholics planned to blow up the House
of Lords.
Guy Fawkes was discovered guarding their horde of
explosives in the basement of the House of Lords on
November 5, 1605. (“Remember, remember the 5th
of November.”)
The traitors were sentenced to death, and this day is
still celebrated in England as Guy Fawkes Day.
Shakespeare weaves references to the Gunpowder
Plot into Macbeth. Was this rebellious?

10. Back to the play…
Before the Curtain Opens:
When the play begins, there are two
wars in progress:
1. Civil War in Scotland- King Duncan
vs. Macdonwald’s (a thane’s) rebels
2. National War - Scotland, led by King
Duncan, against invading Norway

11. *Brain Break!*
Stand up at your seat. Your task: organize
yourselves in line from youngest to oldest.
The trick: you must remain silent!
You have exactly 4 minutes to complete the
task. Go!

12. Quick Review
The “real” Macbeth:
– Killed king, became king, succeeded, was
murdered by King’s son
James I from Scotland
– Follows Elizabeth I
– Gunpowder Plot: assassination plot
– Was Macbeth written for him?

13. A Macbeth for King James?
Banquo (pictured at right)
– an elaborate family
tree of the Stuart
dynasty suggests that
King James is
descended from a real
Banquo (Holinshed).
Henry Fuseli, Macbeth, Banquo and the Witches on
the Heath

14. Modern Associations with Witches?

15. A Macbeth for King James?
King James’ interest
in witchcraft was well
known
King James visited
Oxford in 1605 and
was greeted by three
witches who hailed
him as the descendent
of Banquo . . .
interesting.
Alexandre-Marie Colin, The Three Witches from
Macbeth

16. Witches & Witchcraft
Witch-mania inthe
Elizabethan era.
Most people believed in
witches!
Circulating pamphlets
containing tales of witches
and witchcraft were the
equivalent of today’s
popular newspapers.
Henry Fuseli, The Three Witches

17. Witches and Witchcraft
Witches were said to have “diabolical” powers. They could:
– predict the future
– bring on night in the daytime
– cause fogs and tempests
– kill animals
– curse enemies with fatal, wasting diseases
– cause nightmares and sterility
– take demonic possession of any individual
– raise evil spirits by concocting a brew
It was believed that witches allowed the devil to suck their blood.
Accused witches were examined for the “Devil’s Mark” - a red
mark on their body from which the devil had sucked blood.

18. Witches and Witchcraft - Misogyny?
Between 1560 and 1603, hundreds
of people, nearly all of them
women, were convicted as witches
and executed
In 1604 an official Act of
Parliament decreed that anyone
found guilty of practicing
witchcraft should be executed
Those who confessed to being
witches did so under torture or
because they were in the grip of
delusions recognized today as
psychiatric disorders.

19. What would Macbeth’s
audience have thought about
the witches?

20. beginning Macbeth. . .
Trance
– “look how our partner’s rapt”
Changed Appearance
– “why do you make such faces”
Inability to Pray
– “ “Amen” stuck in my throat”
Visions
– “Is this a dagger I see before
me?”
Disturbed Behaviour
– “I have a strange infirmity”
Lack of Fear
– “I have almost forgot the taste
of fears”
Indifference to Life
– “She should have died
hereafter”
Invitations to evil spirits
– “Come, you spirits”