The Tragedy of Macbeth. Which words come to mind when you hear Shakespeare?

The Tragedy of Macbeth




Which words come to mind when you hear Shakespeare?

Which words come to mind when you hear Shakespeare?

Mrs. Moulton • British Literature


Theater Warm-ups Theater Warm-ups Break into groups of 2-3 You will be given a strip of paper with

a line from one of Shakespeare's plays. You have 5 minutes to figure out how to act out the line without speaking.

Most of these are well-known phrases or lines you have heard before

Break into groups of 2-3 You will be given a strip of paper with

a line from one of Shakespeare's plays. You have 5 minutes to figure out how to act out the line without speaking.

Most of these are well-known phrases or lines you have heard before


WITCHESTREACHERY

MURDERBLOOD

FAITHLESSNESSDECEPTIONAMBITION

WITCHESTREACHERY

MURDERBLOOD

FAITHLESSNESSDECEPTIONAMBITION

MacbethMacbeth

A tragedyBy William

Shakespeare

A tragedyBy William

Shakespeare

About ShakespeareAbout Shakespeare


The BardThe Bard William Shakespeare, who was often

referred to as the Bard, which simply means poet, was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is a town in England. Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant. Also, because of his father’s social standing, Shakespeare was able to attend Stratford Grammar School until the age of fourteen.

William Shakespeare, who was often referred to as the Bard, which simply means poet, was born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is a town in England. Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant. Also, because of his father’s social standing, Shakespeare was able to attend Stratford Grammar School until the age of fourteen.


“The Lost Years”(1578-1592)

“The Lost Years”(1578-1592)

There he studied Latin and Greek. Historians lost track of what happened to William Shakespeare after school until he married Anne Hathaway. There is another time for which historians cannot account; these years are know as the “lost years.”

There he studied Latin and Greek. Historians lost track of what happened to William Shakespeare after school until he married Anne Hathaway. There is another time for which historians cannot account; these years are know as the “lost years.”


Background InformationBackground Information

William Shakespeare eventually left his family behind and arrived in London where he joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a successful theater company.

This company changed its name to The King's Men in 1603. Shakespeare stayed a member of this company until he retired in 1610. While in the company, Shakespeare made his living three ways: he was part owner of the Globe theatre, he was an actor, and he was a playwright. During this time very little Scenery was used on stage, but successful productions were accomplished by Dialogue or conversation between characters.

William Shakespeare eventually left his family behind and arrived in London where he joined Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a successful theater company.

This company changed its name to The King's Men in 1603. Shakespeare stayed a member of this company until he retired in 1610. While in the company, Shakespeare made his living three ways: he was part owner of the Globe theatre, he was an actor, and he was a playwright. During this time very little Scenery was used on stage, but successful productions were accomplished by Dialogue or conversation between characters.


The globe The globe


The TheaterThe Theater Shakespeare and his fellow theater

colleagues were fortunate that Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed theater because the theaters were constantly closed because of the Bubonic Plague, and the queen wanted to have the theaters reopened. Other people would have liked to see these theaters, such as the Globe, which held about 2,500 to 3,000 spectators, closed for good.

Shakespeare and his fellow theater colleagues were fortunate that Queen Elizabeth I enjoyed theater because the theaters were constantly closed because of the Bubonic Plague, and the queen wanted to have the theaters reopened. Other people would have liked to see these theaters, such as the Globe, which held about 2,500 to 3,000 spectators, closed for good.


Shakespeare’s WorksShakespeare’s Works When we study William Shakespeare's

plays, we usually categorize them into three genres: comedy, tragedy, and history. Romeo and Juliet, which was written in Shakespeare's early years, is considered a tragedy. The Tragedy of Macbeth is also considered one of Shakespeare’s tragedies as well.

When we study William Shakespeare's plays, we usually categorize them into three genres: comedy, tragedy, and history. Romeo and Juliet, which was written in Shakespeare's early years, is considered a tragedy. The Tragedy of Macbeth is also considered one of Shakespeare’s tragedies as well.


The Rise and

Fall of a

Great Man

The Rise and

Fall of a

Great Man


The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.

The Scottish Play is based loosely on an episode from history, the death of King Duncan at the hands of his kinsman Macbeth.


Source of the playSource of the play Shakespeare's

source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)

Shakespeare's source for his story is Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland (1577)


Written between 1604-1606

Performed at the Globe Theatre, London

Published in the First Folio of 1623

Written between 1604-1606

Performed at the Globe Theatre, London

Published in the First Folio of 1623


NotesNotes Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth Genre: Tragedy Setting (time): 11th century Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly,

England Protagonist: Macbeth Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with

his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)

Full title: The Tragedy of Macbeth Genre: Tragedy Setting (time): 11th century Setting (place): Scotland, and briefly,

England Protagonist: Macbeth Major Conflicts: Macbeth struggles with

his conscience (before and after murder); evil (Macbeth and Lady Macbeth); struggles with good (Malcolm and Macduff)


Historical ConnectionHistorical Connection Scotland at the time was a violent

and troubled country The castle was the center of each

rival aristocrat’s (thane) power Political murder and revenge

were not unusual means to gain power

Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly

Scotland at the time was a violent and troubled country

The castle was the center of each rival aristocrat’s (thane) power

Political murder and revenge were not unusual means to gain power

Plundering Vikings and Norsemen attacked Scotland constantly


The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.

It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.

It is considered Shakespeare’s darkest work.

His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.

The play is the shortest of Shakespeare's tragedies, without diversions or subplots.

It chronicles Macbeth's seizing of power and subsequent destruction.

It is considered Shakespeare’s darkest work.

His rise and fall are the result of blind ambition.


Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.

The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plotted

Macbeth was intended to stir the interest of the new king, James I.

The play's focus on regicide, a supreme crime in Shakespeare's day, tied into the November 1605 Gunpowder Plot where English Roman Catholic conspirators plottedto blow up Parliament, King James, his queen and oldest son.


Importance of PatronageImportance of Patronage The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of

King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.

This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.

The play pays tribute to the interests and knowledge of King James. With patronage, a writer composes one of his works for a king, queen or another rich person for continued support.

This play compliments James by making Banquo, who is said to be his ancestor, a hero in the play. Historically, Banquo never existed.

Macbeth focuses on issues of kinship and loyalty, important ideals to King James, who had survived an assassination attempt early in his life. His father had been murdered. His mother, Mary Queen of Scots, had been executed.


The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.

A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.

Belief in witchcraft was widespread. In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became

punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.

The questions of the role of the monarch and the duties of their subjects toward them were of major importance to King James.

A story suggests that King James wrote a letter of acknowledgment about the play to Shakespeare.

Shakespeare’s England, the political issue of succession and order were of major importance.

Belief in witchcraft was widespread. In 1604, the practice of witchcraft became

punishable by death because it was believed that it attempted to change God’s natural order.


The Historical MacbethThe Historical Macbeth Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray

and Ross He married Gruach, granddaughter to a

High King of Scotland; no children No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s

influence on her husband Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was

killed, possibly by Macbeth Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of

Scotland in 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.

Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability

Born in 1005 to a family that ruled Moray and Ross

He married Gruach, granddaughter to a High King of Scotland; no children

No historical evidence of Lady Macbeth’s influence on her husband

Duncan, an ineffective king, was 38 when he was killed, possibly by Macbeth

Macbeth ruled for 17 years, elected High King of Scotland in 1040. For the first 10 years, this competent king reformed the country.

Led Scotland in a long period of peace and stability


Historical MacbethHistorical Macbeth No evidence of attention to witchcraft Strong supporter of the church Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in

1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor

No evidence of attention to witchcraft Strong supporter of the church Duncan’s son Malcolm invaded Scotland in

1054, supported by the English King Edward the Confessor

Macbeth was killed on Aug. 15, 1057Buried at Iona, the sacred burial place of the kings of Scotland


ThemeThemeThe play is

seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.

The play is seen as a tale of dangers of the lust for power and betrayal of friends.


Inside the theater

Inside the theater

Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “the Scottish play” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.

Actors often consider the play to be unlucky, and usually refer to it as “the Scottish play” rather than by name. To say the name of the play inside a theatre is considered to doom the production to failure.


Recurring motifs (patterns)

Recurring motifs (patterns)

Blood Clothing Natural order (nature) Insomnia**Motif: reoccurring element that has symbolic significance

Blood Clothing Natural order (nature) Insomnia**Motif: reoccurring element that has symbolic significance


What to Watch ForWhat to Watch For

what Macbeth is thinking and feeling,

why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself and others

what Macbeth is thinking and feeling,

why he acts the way he does, and what consequences his evil brings about upon himself and others


At the Start of the PlayAt the Start of the Play Macbeth is a very successful and

highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.

Macbeth is a very successful and highly respected member of a social group, loaded with honors and enjoying every prospect of future commendations . He has a loving wife and a secure home in his castle at Inverness. He is praised for his heroic actions in defense of the kingdom. King Duncan thinks of Macbeth with high regard and treats him generously.


At the End of the PlayAt the End of the Play

Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.

Macbeth is totally alone. He has no friends, he is universally despised, his wife is dead, and all his most eager hopes have been disappointed. He is a man without a place in the social community. He has become totally isolated.


Why?Why? Because

of his own free decisions!

He destroys himself.

Because of his own free decisions!

He destroys himself.

As we get to know Macbeth …

As we get to know Macbeth …

In-class reading points: You are starting this unit with 25 on-task reading points. You will keep these points by participating in the reading

and paying attention to the lessons. How can you lose these points?

That would include doing other classwork/homework, sleeping, not paying attention, passing notes, etc.

These points are non-negotiable. Rather than losing momentum in the reading, I will simply write your name down as you lose daily points. If you have any questions about your point allocation, you may ask me at the end

of the period. I will not reassign points, but you will know if you are keeping them.

Questions? Problems? Just pay attention, and these will be free points for you – in addition to your better

understanding of the storyline.

P.S. If you sleep even once, you work alone the annotated bib partner assignment.

In-class reading points: You are starting this unit with 25 on-task reading points. You will keep these points by participating in the reading

and paying attention to the lessons. How can you lose these points?

That would include doing other classwork/homework, sleeping, not paying attention, passing notes, etc.

These points are non-negotiable. Rather than losing momentum in the reading, I will simply write your name down as you lose daily points. If you have any questions about your point allocation, you may ask me at the end

of the period. I will not reassign points, but you will know if you are keeping them.

Questions? Problems? Just pay attention, and these will be free points for you – in addition to your better

understanding of the storyline.

P.S. If you sleep even once, you work alone the annotated bib partner assignment.


READY TO ACT?READY TO ACT?

Please turn to page 322

Please turn to page 322

The Tragedy of Macbeth. Which words come to mind when you hear Shakespeare?

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