Macbeth
World Literature
Spring 2015
Macbeth
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Shakespeare born
1564 Stratford-on-Avon
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Became
apprenticed to a butcher at age 14.
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Wed Anne
Hathaway at age 19—nine years his senior. Had three children
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Moved to London
in late 1580 and joined a theatrical company as a playwright, actor and poet.
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The Globe
Theater
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Originally
backed by Queen Elizabeth I
King James
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Elizabeth dies
leaving no heirs.
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King James VI
Scotland becomes James I in England.
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Macbeth, 1606
was meant to honor (curry favor) James as a descendant of Banquo; therefore his
integrity is stressed in the play.
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Based on a story
from Holinshed Chronicles in which the historical King Macbeth reigned from
1040-1057.
King James and Witchcraft
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From 1500 to
1660 Europe saw 50,000-80,000 witches executed. About 26,000 in Germany, 10,000
in France, 1,000 in England and 4 in Ireland. British Isles had better
safeguards for defendants than other countries until James I.
More on the witchcraft in Macbeth
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The legend is
that Shakespeare wanted to throw something special into the play to please King
James, who had written the 1597 book Daemonologie which
discussed witchcraft and warned against its use. So Shakespeare used some of
King James' documented incantations in the scene, probably hoping to ingratiate
himself with the King. No good evidence exists for this, but the story
maintains that some practicing witches saw the play and took great offense at
this misuse of their sacred craft, and placed a curse upon any who might
perform Macbeth. Now, whenever the play is given, the three
witches whose spells were appropriated are awoken and it is they who cause the
disasters onstage.
King James (cont.)
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Authorized the
torture of suspected witched in 1591 as a result of a bad storm he encountered
returning home from his honeymoon which he blamed on witches.
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Dozens of
condemned witches burned at the stake.
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Estimated that
the rate at which women to men succumbed to witchcraft was 20:1.
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Authorized the
revision of the Bible in 1604-1611 (King James Version) as a response to
Puritan perceived defects in earlier translations.
The Historic King Macbeth
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Reigned from
1040-1057
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Grandson of
Malcolm and cousin to Duncan I
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Macbeth took the
throne after killing his cousin, King Duncan I, in battle in 1040. In 1046,
Siward, earl of Northumbria, unsuccessfully attempted to dethrone Macbeth in
favor of Malcolm. In 1054, Macbeth was apparently forced by Siward to yield
part of southern Scotland to Malcolm. Three years later, Macbeth was killed in
battle by Malcolm, with assistance from the English.
More Macbeth History…
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Considered to be
one of the last Gaelic kings, the real Macbeth MacFindlaech was not the
murderous, terrible character.
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For 17 years,
life was peaceful and prosperous as Macbeth ruled with an even hand and
encouraged the spread of Christianity. He enacted several good laws, among them
one that enforced Celtic tradition requiring officers of the court to defend
women and orphans anywhere in the kingdom. Another allowed daughters the same
rights of inheritance as sons.
And finally…
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In 1050, Macbeth
and his wife traveled to Rome for a papal jubilee, giving alms to the poor and
donating to the Church. However, upon his return, Macbeth faced political
turmoil brewing outside his realm. In 1052, Normans living in England fled the
chaotic situation into Scotland. Celtic custom held that all travelers were
welcome in Macbeth's court. However, this act of kindness didn't set too well
with English lords. Around the same time, Duncan's 21-year-old son, Malcolm
MacDuncan, was lobbying English lords that he was best-suited to serve as king
of Scotland.
“The Scottish Play”
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Written as a nod
to the King’s expertise on witchcraft.
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Actual language
from witchcraft.
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Witches
represent the three stages of womanhood.
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Long history of
mishaps and superstitions with the play.
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