“Fair is foul, and foul is
fair.”
What is perceived as good in this play will be bad; what is perceived
as bad will be good.
This is called a paradox.
Shakespeare’s Inspiration for
Macbeth
• For inspiration, Shakespeare often used
political and historical figures
• The “real” Macbeth became the King of
Scotland in 1040 after defeating the historical
Duncan who was a weak and youthful ruler
with little experience
• Shakespeare uses these two characters in his
play, although he changes how they are
perceived (Duncan is much older).
• After Queen Elizabeth’s death in 1603, James VI
of Scotland became James I King of England
• James I claimed to be the eighth descendant of
the Banquo-Theance line
• Shakespeare, therefore, created a character to
reflect this in Macbeth: Banquo
• James I was very concerned with the threat of
witchcraft
• Witchcraft and witch-hunting was a respectable,
moral and intellectual pursuit during the 15-17
cc.
• James I participated in the trials of witches
Witchcraft
• A simple, but crucial test of witchcraft, was to
ensure that a charm worked from a distance
• By the time Macbeth was written by
Shakespeare, James I had become more
skeptical of witchcraft
• Macbeth was in essence written for James I
• Parts of the play were meant to compliment
the King
Dramatis Personae (Characters)
• Duncan ~ King of Scotland
Duncan is a good king who is liked by his people.
He is unable to discern those who threaten his
reign.
• Macbeth ~ Thane* of Glamis and Cawdor and
a general in the King’s army
Macbeth is a good man who is troubled by his
conscience and loyalty, though at the same
time ambitious and murderous.
*Definition of Thane: A man granted land by the king for military services
Macbeth
= Protagonist
= Tragic Hero
= Must Die
• Lady Macbeth ~ Macbeth’s wife
She is ambitious but lacks the morals of her husband
• Banquo ~ A General in the King’s Army
Banquo serves as a foil* to Macbeth, showing an
alternate reaction to the witches’ prophecy. Banquo
retains his morals and allegiances. He is brave and
ambitious, but this is tempered by intelligence.
• Macduff ~ A nobleman of Scotland
Macduff shows early on a distrust of Macbeth. He also
represents fate. Macduff plays the avenger.
Definition of foil: The purpose of the foil character is to emphasize the traits of the main
character by comparison or contrast.
• Malcolm ~ elder son of Duncan
He uses deception only to ensure his personal
safety.
• Donalbain ~ younger son of Duncan
Flees to Ireland when his father is murdered.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lennox ~ Nobleman of Scotland
Ross ~ Nobleman of Scotland
Siward ~ General of the English forces
Young Siward ~ Siward’s son
Seyton ~ attendant to Macbeth
The Porter ~ imagines he is the keeper of hell’s gate
Lady Macduff ~ represents all the good people
slaughtered by Macbeth
• Fleance ~ Banquo’s son
…and now for the witches…
“Something wicked
this way comes…”
Hecate ~ Queen of the Witches
She directs supernatural happenings and
appearances of the mystical apparitions.
Three witches
• The Three Witches add an element of
supernatural and prophecy to the play
• The witches are based on a variety of ideas
about witches at the time the play was written
• They are described as having beards but
looking human
Settings in Macbeth
Scotland at or near Duncan’s
castle at Forres
Macbeth’s castle
at Iverness
Forres Castle
•In northeastern Scotland
•The real Duncan and Macbeth are among those said to
have used the castle as a hunting lodge in 1165
•Nearby is a tourist attraction called the witches’ stone
•This stone marks the location where accused witches
were burned at the stake
Macduff’s castle at Fife
The remains of
Macduff’s castle as it
stands today
Birnam Wood
“Fear not, till Birnam wood / Do come to Dunsinane”
Dunsinane
Great Ambition, or
inordinate lust for power,
ultimately brings ruin.
Evil wears a pretty
cloak
Temptation can defeat
even the strongest human
beings
Guilt haunts the
evil doer
Is Macbeth
bad luck?
Producing Macbeth is
supposed to be unlucky
1.The theory of the curse suggests
that Shakespeare included actual
black magic spells in the
incantations of the weird sisters
(witches)
2. The play has a long history of bad
luck
3. It is a crowd pleasing play and the
curse draws in a crowd
•Tradition traces a long line of disasters back to
Macbeth’s premier on August 7 1606
•Fires, falls, weapon injuries and deaths have
plagued past productions of Macbeth
•The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage
on opening night
•Those who appear in the play or who mention the
play’s name within the confines of the theatre risk
having evils brought down on their heads
•Superstition requires that those involved in a
production do not say the play’s title “Macbeth” but
instead call it “The Scottish Play” to avoid bad luck
Act 1,
Scene 1.