Macbeth Context

Macbeth Context

1. Witchcraft

   • Middle-aged, unmarried women were often accused, as their independence was seen as unusual and threatening.
   • fear of witches was spread by the Monarch: King James I - who feared witches and encouraged witch trials in his book "Daemonologie"
   • Very superstitious society feared witches and the Devil.
   • "Witches" were blamed in times of hardship, and 50,00 women were executed.
     • eg: failed harvests, or the spread of illness.
     • A dark time in Scottish and English History - contrasting with the previous "Golden Age" of the previous era. This dark turn can be linked to the downfall of Macbeth, and the entire mood of the play.
   • believed to keep "familiars", that were demons who lived beside them and did their bidding.
   • Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in a time in which public interest in witches bordered on hysteria.
   • the devil was feared - religious impact

2. King James I

   • King of Scotland and Wales in the Jacobean era..
   • Like Macbeth, the life of King James could be called a "Scottish Tragedy", and Shakespeare was keen to please his monarch, by painting "King Duncan" in his image, as a hero.
     • Wife was "killed by witches"
   • Fascinated and terrified of witches, and wrote the book "Daemonologie" which catalysed the spread of witch hunts and terror, across the UK.
     • * absolute monarchy * meant that if King James believed it, everyone else had to, or would be executed. So everyone would have feared witches and damnation
   • Patron of the Lord Chamberlain's men - Shakespeare's boss - therefore Shakespeare was eager to paint him as an idol. Thus can be seen in the changes that were made to the original plot of Macbeth, in order to please the king.
   • Divine Right of Kings - James believed that he was chosen by God to rule, and thus chosen to rid the earth of witches
     • Great Chain of being: The King in the closest to God, therefore will enact the will of God. This meant that James was to do God's deeds, like warning people about witchcraft - hence perpetuating a cycle of public fear.
       • As the King was so close to God, regicide would be a crime against the universe ( hence the damnation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth)

3. The Globe Theatre

   • Shakespeare's theatre, where he worked with the |Lord Chamberlain's men.
   • Macbeth was fist performed there in 1611
   • Everyone had access to the theatre, as the cheapest seats were in the pit, for one penny, thus, the story of macbeth was able to spread

4. Gender Roles In Society

   • Male dominated, and women seen as inferior objects, who have no place in making decisions.
   • heavily patriarchal
   • Gender was traditionally ordered (but it was disordered in Macbeth)
   • Men usually control and dictate the lives of women.
     • Reversed and disrupted in Macbeth: By Weird Sisters and Lady Macbeth playing large parts in the downfall of Macbeth, and him succumbing to his "fate"

5. The Gunpowder Plot

   • A failed conspiracy by Catholics, to assassinate King James I (regicide theme seen in Macbeth)
     • Many scenes in Macbeth resonate with the "you must not k ill the king" and the revolt.
     • To kill the King, link to G.C.O.B and D.R.O.K, would be a crime against God
   • King James in commonly believed to be descended from the character of Banquo, therefore the escape of Fleance from Macbeth echoes James's escape from Guy Fawkes
     • Fleance would become king, which links to the Sister's prophecy, and thus the themes of Fate and Divine Right, as Fleance was chosen by God, Just like King James. Because Shakespeare wants to tell the audience how great the king is.
   • Macbeth is a play about Treason, and the downfall of those who murder the king - which directly cites the Gunpowder Plot

6. Religion

   • Height of the religious impact of the Bible, although, due to pagan creeds, belief in the supernatural became more prevalent.
   • Sense of morality aligned with heaven and hell: if you are good, you go up *stage*, to heaven; if you are bad, you go down *stage* to heaven.
   • Religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics - leading to tension that could have caused people to turn to superstitions , and look for someone to blame, ie: the women.
     • This conflict may also be reflected in the turbulent plot of Mabeth