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MACBETH

• CONTEXT
• William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon in 1564. His father sold gloves and became an important person in the town. William, one of eight children, was the eldest son and was probably educated at the local grammar school. He married when he was only 18 and his wife, Anne Hathaway, was eight years older than him. They had two girls and a boy (who died aged 11).
• Nobody knows how Shakespeare began to write or when he entered the theatre, but we know that he became a leading member of the theatre troupe known as 'The Lord Chamberlain's Men'. The company proved very popular and later, when King James I granted them the right to perform at his court, the troupe became known as 'The King's Men'. Shakespeare wrote over 30 plays for 'The King's Men', making it the most important theatre company in the country, and he often wrote parts for particular actors. He was very successful and wealthy in his time, and his work has remained very popular ever since.

MACBETH

• CHARACTER
• Macbeth is a brave and valiant soldier, ready to die for his king, Duncan. However, the prophecies of the witches have a powerful effect on him, especially when he learns the first has come true, and he becomes the Thane of Cawdor. He thinks more and more about being king, and he is easily persuaded to agree to murder Duncan. However, he often appears weak - he starts to have visions, he asks lots of questions, he cannot make a decision and never really seems sure of himself. For instance, he panics just after the murder and has to rely on his wife to find an alibi.
• Later in the play he appears to be more in control and less reliant on his wife. For instance, he plans to murder Banquo without even telling his wife. He also ignores his visions and makes decisions quickly, giving orders rather than asking questions. At times he is full of confidence but he is also distant and seems to ignore the death of his wife. When he realises he will also die, he 'will not yield' and fights to the very end.
• Macbeth is brave in battle - Duncan calls him "noble Macbeth" because he is so tough.
• He is tempted by ambition - He talks about his "black and deep desires" (to be king).
• He considers killing Duncan - He thinks about "that suggestion" (of killing Duncan).
• He is led by his wife - She tells him to "Leave all the rest to me."
• Macbeth has hallucinations- "Is this a dagger which I see before me".
• He has a conscience- He cannot say "Amen" after the murder.
• He regrets killing DuncanHe says he would "wake Duncan" if only he could.
• Macbeth changes in the play - He becomes more confident and quick to act.
• He becomes rude - He calls a servant "whey-face".
• He is not afraid to die- "I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd".

MACBETH

• LADY MACBETH
• Lady Macbeth is another central figure in the play.
• Lady Macbeth is ambitious - She talks about "The future in the instant". - She doesn't want to wait.
• She manipulates her husband - She says "screw your courage to the sticking place".
• She is calculating & deceptive - She says look "innocent" but be a "serpent".
• She can remain in control - She does not panic and orders him around.
• She shows no remorse - She says "Give me the daggers".
• She sees Macbeth as a coward - She talks of her "shame" at his "heart so white".
• Lady Macbeth is powerful - She tells the lords to "speak not" and "go at once". - She is authoritative & controlling.
• She becomes deranged, confused and strange - She tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands and we are told she commits suicide.

MACBETH

• BANQUO, DUNCAN, THE WITCHES & MACDUFF
• Banquo is Macbeth's close friend and ally. He knows about the witches and their predictions but doesn't take them seriously at first. Later he thinks more about it, but he is never tempted in the way Macbeth is. However, he starts to realise how interested Macbeth is and then gets suspicious of him. Banquo is also presented as a very brave and completely loyal soldier - even when Macbeth tempts him Banquo makes it clear he wants to keep his 'allegiance clear' to the king.
• Duncan is the king at the start of the play. He is presented as a strong ruler. For instance, when he finds out the first Thane of Cawdor is a traitor, he immediately executes him and puts Macbeth in his place. He is also perceptive, and knows that you can't always tell who is a traitor. He is respected by everyone. However, he perhaps leads Macbeth into thinking about murder - Duncan announces that his son, Malcolm, will become the next king, and this starts Macbeth thinking of ways he might become king himself.
• The Witches introduce the play and control the mysterious forces of the world. They know the future and seem to put Macbeth under their spell. Their magical words are well-known, such as 'Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.
• Macduff is the lord who first finds Duncan's body and who eventually kills Macbeth. He is seen as completely loyal to Duncan and his country. He is brave, swearing to investigate the murder and he doesn't go to see Macbeth crowned. This implies Macduff is already suspicious. He then goes to England to raise an army and his family are murdered on Macbeth's orders. He convinces Malcolm to join his attack against Macbeth. He kills Macbeth in the final battle because he is not 'of woman born' (he was born by caesarean section) - it's as if he has some magical power because only he can kill Macbeth. - "No man of woman born shall harm Macbeth" (naturally born - not by caesarian section like Macduff & that is why Macduff can kill him).

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