Macbeth
An introduction…
Background on Macbeth
Real 11th century Scottish King, but ruled
peacefully
Written in 1605-1607
Tragedy
Written to please King James (formerly King of
Scots [1567-1603], interested in witchcraft)
Historically, play would take place in late 11th
century, but as typical of Shakespeare, several
modern anachronistic references
Themes
1. Great ambition or lust for power
ultimately brings ruin
2. Evil can be disguised as something nicelooking
3. Temptation overcomes even the strong.
4. Guilt haunts the guilty
Watch for…
Who is ultimately responsible for all the deaths
that occur (who do you blame?)
The role of blood—what is it symbolic for, where
do we see it, and who sees blood most often?
The role of the supernatural
Witches
Ghosts
Hallucinations
Macbeth as Tragic Hero?
Noble birth
Several redeemable, likable characteristics
Has tragic flaw of character
Downfall caused by tragic flaw
Has self-realization or self-awareness but
often too late
Death usually causes audience to
sympathize or feel pity.
Macbeth
Thane of Glamis and Cawdor, a
general in the King's army
Tragic downfall is his quest for
power or his AMBITION.
Hecate and the 3 witches
Hecate: ancient (pre-Olympian) Greco-Roman
goddess of witchcraft and crossroads. Sometimes
depicted with three faces.
Witches:
Disgusting women (if you can call them that)
Add an element of supernatural and prophecy to
the play.
They can assume the shape of an animal, but with
a defect, such as a tailless rat.
They are described as having beards but looking
human.
Lady Macbeth
loves her husband.
She is also ambitious but lacks
the morals of her husband.
King Duncan
King of Scotland
Duncan is a good king who his people
like. However, he is unable to discern
those who threaten his reign.
Banquo
Thane of Lochaber, a general in the
King's army
Banquo serves as a foil to Macbeth—one
of his closest friends
King James I believed himself descended
from Banquo
Macduff
Thane of Fife, a nobleman of Scotland
Macduff shows early on a distrust of
Macbeth.
Malcolm and Donalbain
Both are minor characters
Sons of King Duncan
Malcolm is set to inherit the throne
next
Lennox and Ross
Noblemen and minor characters
Both observe Macbeth and become
suspicious of him