Reconstructed in the 1990’s

o Aristocrats

oThe Groundlings!

When in a play...• Only men were permitted

to perform

• Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women

• Set in Scotland

• Written for King James I

– Patron of the arts• Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in 1606,

during King James’ reign.

• The setting is Scotland, King James’ homeland.

• Banquo was an ancestor of James and is shown in the play to be a virtuous person.

• James believed himself to be an expert on witchcraft.

• King Duncan of Scotland– Murdered by cousin Macbeth

– Honest and good

• Malcolm & Donalbain– Sons of the King

– Malcolm is the eldest son

• Macbeth– Duncan’s most courageous general

– Ambition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan

• Banquo– General and Macbeth’s best friend– Suspects Macbeth in Duncan’s murder – An actual ancestor of King James I

• Lady Macbeth– As ambitious as her husband– A dark force behind his evil deeds

• Macduff– Scottish general, suspects Macbeth of

murdering the king– Macbeth has his family murdered– Swears vengeance

Scotland

The Scottish Play• It is believed to be bad luck to

even squeak the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre

• Legend has it you will lose all your friends involved in the production--horribly

• Shakespeare is said to have used the spells of real witches in his text, angering the witches and causing them to curse the play.

• The play often put on as last effort to save playhouse

• Many actors will not mention the name of the play aloud, referring to it instead as "The Scottish play".

• Def. “Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many” - Aristotle

• Macbeth is one of the most famous examples of the tragic hero.