1 / 7

The Context of Macbeth

The Context of Macbeth. By Michael Wells. Definition of Context. Context is the set of circumstances that surround an event or text. Often provides meaning or a deeper understanding.

adonica
Télécharger la présentation

The Context of Macbeth

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Context of Macbeth By Michael Wells

  2. Definition of Context • Context is the set of circumstances that surround an event or text. • Often provides meaning or a deeper understanding. • The context of Macbeth helps us understand the characters, as well as possibly gain an insight into what Shakespeare intended this play to achieve.

  3. Context of Macbeth • Written in 1606. Under Scottish king, King James l. • Century where reason began overtaking faith. • Extravagance was popular among the rich.

  4. Influence on Macbeth • Scottish Macbeth was likely due to James l’s heritage • Shakespeare’s affiliation to the royal family is displayed: • “BANQUO: This guest of summer, the temple-haunting martlet, does approve by his loved mansionry that the heavens breath smells wooingly here…” (Shakespeare, 1999, pg 46) • The battle between kings in the play is a nod to the divine right of kings. • “Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.” (Shakespeare, 1999, pg 76)

  5. Meaning added by Context • With the additional knowledge about the 17th century during which the play was written, a deeper layer of meaning emerges. • Armed with this knowledge can help you demonstrate a more profound understanding.

  6. Example Introduction The context of Macbethis a very crucial part of conveying the correct message across to the audience about the events of the time period. Although the play can be read and understood relatively well out of the context or with no prior research, the meaning is greatly enhanced when certain historical and social events are taken into consideration. The story of Macbeth’s sudden decent into madness is deepened when you discover the significant extravagance that was prevalent at the time and we understand the power struggle that little bit more than before. The eventful, power struggle that occurs throughout the play becomes a bit more orderly when considering it as a comment on the divine right of kings, falling into place the events that spell the removal of a corrupt king by God. Having these contextual points of reference initiate a slight change in the story, while opening up a vastly more important shift in understanding and knowledge of the particular time period.

  7. References • Macbeth, 2014, B&N, 16/05/2014, http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/context.htm • Life in 17th Century England, 2003, LoveToKnowInc, 16/05/2014, http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_html/Our_Country_Vol_1/life17th_dh.html • Shakespeare, WS. (1999), Macbeth, Cambridge University Press.

More Related