MacbethMacbethA tragedy by William ShakespeareA tragedy by William Shakespeare

Background NotesBackground Notes• Type of Play: TragedyType of Play: Tragedy

• Setting: 11Setting: 11thth Century in Scotland (and briefly Century in Scotland (and briefly England)England)

• Shortest of Shakespeare’s Plays but also his Shortest of Shakespeare’s Plays but also his darkest work. It was written in 1606.darkest work. It was written in 1606.

• Protagonist: MacbethProtagonist: Macbeth

• Major conflicts: Major conflicts: • The struggle with one’s consciousThe struggle with one’s conscious• Good vs. EvilGood vs. Evil• Blind AmbitionBlind Ambition

Historical ContextHistorical Context• Vikings frequently attacked Scotland during this timeVikings frequently attacked Scotland during this time

• Scotland was a very violent and troubled country.Scotland was a very violent and troubled country.

• Political Murder and revenge were not unusual Political Murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power. Thrilling storyline.means to gain power. Thrilling storyline.

• There was actually a King Macbeth!There was actually a King Macbeth!

• Written to pique the interest of King James 1Written to pique the interest of King James 1• A real life scandal was the backdrop for this play: A real life scandal was the backdrop for this play:

• The The Gunpowder Plot of 1605Gunpowder Plot of 1605. English Roman Catholic . English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted to blow up Parliament, King James, his conspirators plotted to blow up Parliament, King James, his queen and oldest son.queen and oldest son.

• Since the King recently survived this assassination this Since the King recently survived this assassination this play would have interested him greatly.play would have interested him greatly.

• King James 1 was also a Scot and descendent from King James 1 was also a Scot and descendent from Banquo.Banquo.

Witches & witchcraftWitches & witchcraft

• King James’ interest in witchcraft was well known.King James’ interest in witchcraft was well known.

• This Elizabethan Era was fascinated by “witch This Elizabethan Era was fascinated by “witch mania”mania”

• Witches had “diabolical” powers and could...Witches had “diabolical” powers and could...• Predict the futurePredict the future• Raise evil spirits by concocting a brewRaise evil spirits by concocting a brew• Cause nightmaresCause nightmares• Curse EnemiesCurse Enemies• Etc.Etc.

5 Types of characters5 Types of characters

1.) Round- characters who have many personality traits1.) Round- characters who have many personality traits

Ex. Marlin (Finding Nemo), Bilbo Baggins (The Ex. Marlin (Finding Nemo), Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit)Hobbit)

2.) Flat- One-dimensional, embodied only 1 trait. 2.) Flat- One-dimensional, embodied only 1 trait. Generally, in Shakespeare’s tragedies these characters Generally, in Shakespeare’s tragedies these characters would provide comic relief. would provide comic relief.

Ex. Bruce the Shark (Finding Nemo), Sherlock Ex. Bruce the Shark (Finding Nemo), Sherlock Holmes, Holmes, Ross Ross (Macbeth)(Macbeth)

3.) Foil- A character who’s purpose is to provide a contrast 3.) Foil- A character who’s purpose is to provide a contrast with another character. (Usually the protagonist)with another character. (Usually the protagonist)

Ex. Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter, The Joker & Ex. Draco Malfoy & Harry Potter, The Joker & Batman , Batman , Macduff & MacbethMacduff & Macbeth

5 Types of characters5 Types of characters

4.) Static- Characters within a story who remain 4.) Static- Characters within a story who remain the same. They don’t change at all. the same. They don’t change at all.

Ex. Scar (The Lion King), Alan (The Ex. Scar (The Lion King), Alan (The Hangover), BanquoHangover), Banquo

5.) Dynamic- Characters that do change somehow 5.) Dynamic- Characters that do change somehow throughout the course of the plot. (Generally throughout the course of the plot. (Generally they change for the better.)they change for the better.)

Ex. Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) , Ex. Ebenezer Scrooge (A Christmas Carol) , Simba Simba (The Lion King), Macbeth(The Lion King), Macbeth

Key charactersKey characters• King Duncan- King of Scotland, brutally murderedKing Duncan- King of Scotland, brutally murdered

• Malcolm- oldest son and heir to the throneMalcolm- oldest son and heir to the throne• Donalbain- second son of King DuncanDonalbain- second son of King Duncan

• Macbeth- nobleman of Scotland, the three witches Macbeth- nobleman of Scotland, the three witches prophesize that he will one day become Kingprophesize that he will one day become King

• Lady Macbeth- Macbeth’s wife who often urges and Lady Macbeth- Macbeth’s wife who often urges and encourages him to do things that he normally wouldn’t doencourages him to do things that he normally wouldn’t do

• Banquo- Good friend of Macbeth, Scottish nobleman, the Banquo- Good friend of Macbeth, Scottish nobleman, the witches also predict that his sons will become Kingwitches also predict that his sons will become King• Fleance- Banquo’s sonFleance- Banquo’s son

• Macduff- Scottish nobleman, enemy of MacbethMacduff- Scottish nobleman, enemy of Macbeth

• The Witches- Also known as the “weird sisters”, prophesize The Witches- Also known as the “weird sisters”, prophesize that Macbeth will become the next King and the Thane of that Macbeth will become the next King and the Thane of CawdorCawdor

ThemesThemes

1.) Ambition1.) Ambition

2.) Fate vs. Free Will2.) Fate vs. Free Will

3.) Power- corruption from having absolute 3.) Power- corruption from having absolute powerpower

4.) Supernatural Elements- ghosts and witches4.) Supernatural Elements- ghosts and witches

5.) Violence- in particular, gender is associated 5.) Violence- in particular, gender is associated with elements of violencewith elements of violence

Think About...Think About...

• What if someone predicted that you What if someone predicted that you would be a great and powerful ruler would be a great and powerful ruler some day.some day.

• Would you wait around to see if it came Would you wait around to see if it came true?true?

• OROR

• Would you MAKE it come true?Would you MAKE it come true?

Elements of dramaElements of drama

1.) Monologue- One person on stage speaking 1.) Monologue- One person on stage speaking (there may be others on stage as well)(there may be others on stage as well)

Ex. Hamlet’s “to be or not to be”Ex. Hamlet’s “to be or not to be”

2.) Soliloquy- A long speech expressing the 2.) Soliloquy- A long speech expressing the thoughts of a character alone on stagethoughts of a character alone on stage

Ex. Act 1 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth’s Ex. Act 1 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth’s reading of reading of Macbeth’s letterMacbeth’s letter

Elements of dramaElements of drama

3.) Aside- Words spoken, usually in an undertone 3.) Aside- Words spoken, usually in an undertone not intended to be heard by all charactersnot intended to be heard by all characters

Ex.- Act 1 Scene 3 Line 153 Macbeth Ex.- Act 1 Scene 3 Line 153 Macbeth speaks speaks specifically to Banquospecifically to Banquo

4.) Pun- humorous use of a word with two 4.) Pun- humorous use of a word with two meanings (often it is missed by the reader meanings (often it is missed by the reader because of Elizabethean language and sexual because of Elizabethean language and sexual innuendo)innuendo)

Ex.- Scenes with the Porter in Ex.- Scenes with the Porter in MacbethMacbeth

Types of ironyTypes of irony

1.) Dramatic Irony- A contradiction between what a 1.) Dramatic Irony- A contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader/ audience character thinks and what the reader/ audience knows to be trueknows to be true

Ex. Act 1 Scene 3 Line 72 Macbeth does not Ex. Act 1 Scene 3 Line 72 Macbeth does not understand why the witches call him the “Thane of understand why the witches call him the “Thane of Cawdor”Cawdor”

2.) Verbal Irony-2.) Verbal Irony-words words used to suggest the opposite used to suggest the opposite of what is of what is meantmeant

3.) Situational Irony- An event that occurs which 3.) Situational Irony- An event that occurs which directly contradicts the expectations of the directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or the readers/ audiencecharacters or the readers/ audience