MacBeth Introduction Study Guide
Name:
Macbeth Introduction/Study Guide
 Some debate about the exact date that Shakespeare wrote the play, but most
agree it was _________.
 Macbeth is believed to be based on an account of Scottish history,
published in ____________________, about a Scottish king named
Macbeth, who reigned in the _______ century. But, just as Hollywood
today will “glamorize” stories, so too did Shakespeare.
 _______________ is a famous seer who lived during the 16 th century. He
wrote a series of quatrains, four line poems that have been credited with
naming many historical events.
 These slides show a few of his more famous quatrains and their interpretations.
There are those who believe that Nostradamus had the power to
________________, while others think that the quatrains have just been
interpreted after the fact to make his words fit to certain situations. What do
you think?
 What are some of the events attributed to his “predictions”?
________________________________________________________
 Whether you believe in these things or not, it’s important, when you study a work
from a different time, to be able to see the world the way the people of that time
did. That way, _______________________________________________. So,
here’s a little history…
 _____________________ loved the theater and was a great patron of
Shakespeare. When she died in ____________, she was childless and thus her
throne was passed on to _________________, who was James VI of Scotland,
a cousin of Elizabeth.
 There is quite a bit of evidence that Shakespeare used ______________ as an
opportunity to impress his new king, as his patronage would be valuable, just as it
was with Elizabeth.
 For example, ______________ plays a huge part in the play, and
______________ fancied himself an expert on the subject. In fact, he wrote a
book called _____________ about the practice of witchcraft and supporting
witch hunting. If you want to show some of it to your students, check the link
below:
1
MacBeth Introduction Study Guide
Name:
http://arcticbeacon.com/books/King_James_VI- DAEMONOLOGIE(1597).pdf
 In Shakespeare’s time, witches were often ____________ who lived alone
without the protection of a male, a husband, father or brother—this made
them ______________. Also, those women who were known as
_____________, wise in the use of __________ and ______________, were
huge targets. Only __________ or men of __________ were seen to have the
ability to _____________; if a lonely old woman could do so, she was believed
to be working with the ____________.
 The Elizabethans and Jacobeans were not nearly so educated, and as a result
often relied on __________ and __________ to explain things.
 Shakespeare’s people believed very much in God, and as a result, in the devil.
_____________ were thought to be in cahoots with the devil, and he would
send demons or spirits, in ________________, to serve them. These were
called _________________ and are the reason that witches are often depicted
with _________ _________ or toads.
 Unfortunately, due to the hysteria surrounding witches, many innocent women were
burned at the stake or hanged.
 There is more evidence that Shakespeare is trying to impress his new king with
his play. Macbeth puts a lot of emphasis on the concept of the ________
________ _____ ______ and the great chain of being. The great chain of
being was a hierarchical way of viewing the world, where everyone had his/her
place, with God on top, followed by earthly beings, in order of “importance”;
most of the Elizabethans and Jacobeans believed that people belonged in their
station, and to try to rise above it was an affront to God.
 The doctrine of ____________________ (4 words) held that a king/queen
was _________ appointed by God. Thus, it was a grave sin to attempt to
_________ a king, as his title was ___________ upon him by God.
 The ____________ plot of _______was led by a group of
____________, disappointed that James was not supporting them. Their
_____________ attempt on the king failed, and a short time later,
Shakespeare’s play illustrates the dangers of taking a title that his not one’s
right.
 The play is set in _______________________, 600 years before it was written.
2