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Introduction to macbeth. Background. Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606 based on the true story of the Scottish king, Macbeth Macbeth rises to power after killing King Duncan I The play is set in 11 th century England In 1606 King James I was the ruler of England
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Background • Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606 based on the true story of the Scottish king, Macbeth • Macbeth rises to power after killing King Duncan I • The play is set in 11th century England • In 1606 King James I was the ruler of England • King James’ family, the Stuarts, first came to power in 11th century in Scotland • King James was also fascinated with the supernatural and witches, which is why Shakespeare incorporates witches into the play
Characters • Witches: 1st characters in the play; tell Macbeth and Banquo a prophecy • King Duncan: King of Scotland • Malcolm: Duncan’s son; almost captured at the beginning of the play • Captain: Brings news of Macbeth’s noble fighting skills at the beginning of the play • Donalbain: Duncan’s 2nd son • Macbeth: Thane of Glamis; ambitious; very good general; witches tell him a prophecy • Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife; very ambitious • Banquo: Scottish Thane; Macbeth’s friend; good fighter • Fleance: Banquo’s son • Lennox: a Scottish nobleman; becomes suspicious of Macbeth • Ross: a Scottish nobleman
Characters • Macduff: Thane of Fife; asked by Duncan to visit him early in the morning at Macbeth’s castle; leads the fight against Macbeth later in the play • Hecate-head witch • Siward-leader of the English army • Menteith- Scottish nobleman, fights Macbeth • Caithness- Scottish nobleman, fights Macbeth • Seyton-Macbeth’s lieutenant • Old Man-discusses nature in reference to Macbeth’s rule
Act I • Macbeth is on his way home from war when he comes across three witches. • What to look for: • What do the witches prophesize? • What is Macbeth’s reaction? • What is Banquo’s reaction? • How would you characterize Lady Macbeth? • Terms to Remember: Soliloquy-long speech, usually made by a character who is alone; reveals private thoughts and feelings to the audience • What does Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal? (1.5.38-54) • What does Macbeth’s soliloquy reveal? (1.7.1-28)
Act II • At the end of Act I, Macbeth resolves to kill King Duncan • Things to look for in Act II: • How is the plan to kill Duncan carried out? Is Macbeth successful? • Do any hints of a tragedy begin to occur in this act? • Is anyone suspicious of Macbeth? • What is one of the major themes that begins to emerge in this act? • What is Macbeth’s reaction to his murderous deed? Lady Macbeth’s?
Act III • Act III begins with Macbeth being addressed as king by Banquo • Terms to know: • Conflict: internal vs. external-where do we see examples of this? • Climax: this act is the climax of the play • Dramatic Irony: when the audience knows/understands something the character does not-where do we see an example of this? • What to look for: • Who does Macbeth begin to fear and what does he do as a result of this fear? • How is Macbeth changing? • What happens as a result of Macbeth’s actions in this Act?
Act IV • Things to look for: • Who does Macbeth turn to for help? • What is happening to Macbeth’s mental state? • Elizabethans viewed the world as orderly and parallel; for example, the sun rules the heavens, king ruled the state and the father rules the family-how has order been disturbed based on Macbeth’s actions-can order be restored? • What happens to Macduff’s family? What does this tell the reader about Macbeth?
Act V • Things to look for: • What has happened to Lady Macbeth? • What happens to Macbeth? • What is the audience supposed to learn from this play? • How did Macbeth and Lady Macbeth change from the beginning of the play?