MACBETH CONTEXT

MACBETH CONTEXT

1. The plays written for King James were darker and reflected the insecurities of the King

   • Set in Scotland to represent James' home

2. True story in parts

3. Divine Right Of Kings- People believed the king was appointed by God

   • Chain Of Being
   • To kill the king is not only treason, it is an act against God

4. James 1st wore a gold medallion with a snake under a flower on it. This was given to him after foiling the Gunpowder plot

   • Lady Macbeth quotes about a snake and a flower

5. Witchcraft was of interest to the King and so were included in this play.

   • James led the killing of hundreds of women accused of being witches.
     • Salem Witch Trials
   • In 1604 an official Act of Parliament decreed that anyone found guilty of practising witchcraft should be executed
   • North Berwick Witch Trials 1590 led by James 1st
   • He published a book called Daemonologie in 1597.

6. The play was written around 1606

7. James 1st was supposedly related to Banquo

8. Gunpowder Plot-1605

   • TREASON