William Shakespeare An introduction to Macbeth. Early Life 1564-1616: (Elizabeth I dies 1603,...
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Transcript of William Shakespeare An introduction to Macbeth. Early Life 1564-1616: (Elizabeth I dies 1603,...
Early Life
• 1564-1616:• (Elizabeth I dies 1603, succeeded by James I)• Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, north of London• Educated at a “grammar school” in Latin and classical
studies• At 18, he married Anne Hathaway aged 26• First child, Susanna born 6 months later… do the math!• Twins Hamnet and Judity born two years later, 1585• Hamnet dies age 11
London Life
• Not clear when he moved to London• His plays were on stage by 1592• His family stayed behind in Stratford• Shakespeare’s play won royal favour,
particularly of James I• With a group of friends he built
the Globe Theatre
The Globe Theatre
• Constructed on the south bank of the Thames• An open-air amphitheatre• The higher the seats, the pricier the ticket• The common folk stood on the ground• Beer and snack were served – it got quite rowdy
at times!
Macbeth
• Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s tragedies• A tragedy to Shakespeare involves a man of
high rank who falls due to a personal flaw• Written between 1603 and 1607• Based on the history of the murder of King
Duncan of Scotland• However, in reality Macbeth was a respected
king of Scotland• Theatre superstition: it’s called the “Scottish
Play”
Characters – Macbeth
• A capable general at the service of King Duncan• His title is Thane (Earl) of Glamis• Rewarded with new title:
Thane of Cawdor• He has a tragic flaw: ambition
Lady Macbeth
• Macbeth’s wife• She is even more ambitious than
her husband• She knows how to manipulate Macbeth
King Duncan
• The well respected king of Scotland• He is older than Macbeth• Macbeth’s kinsman (“cousin”)• Macbeth is very loyal to him – at the beginning• Two sons: Malcolm and Donalbain
Banquo
• Macbeth’s great friend• Also a general in Duncan’s army• Son: Fleance• Prophecy: he will give rise to
many kings of Scotland• James I of England was also
James VI of Scotland,
said to be a descendant of
Banquo• A character foil to Macbeth
Macduff
• Another thane (of Fife) and general• Becomes important in the final act• Has a wife and son
The Three Witches
• People believed that witches caused misfortune• had “familiars” or animal spirits to assist them• represented a challenge to the established order• James I had written a book on how to detect and
try witches• Many witches were burned during
his reign
Plot
• Shakespeare follows a formula for most of his plays• Act I: exposition• Act II: rising action• Act III: climax• Act IV: falling action• Act V: resolution
(denouement)
Setting• Scotland• Inverness Castle, Macbeth’s home, and other
clammy places• Time: the 11th century, Thursday, around tea
time• Atmosphere: dark, gloomy, foreboding,
generally nasty
Themes
• Deceit and equivocation• Deceit: the act of deceiving; concealment
or distortion of the truth• Equivocation: the use of ambiguous,
vague expressions; misleading or hedging
• Masculinity:• What qualities make a man?• How should a “real” man act?• Can a woman act like a “man”?