Macbeth

Macbeth

1. Context

   • William Shakespeare: He was born in Stratford upon Avon in 1564. His father sold gloves and became an important person in the town. William, one of 8 children, was the eldest son and was educated at the local grammar school. He married when he was only 18 and his wife, Anne Hathaway, was 8 years older than him. They had 2 girls and a boy (died aged 11). He became a leading member of the theatre troupe known as 'The Lord Chamberlain's Men'. 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.
     • The popularity of Macbeth: Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's best know plays because the basic story still strikes a chord with modern audiences. It's a bloodthirsty tale of ambition, and the veils we will go to in order to get what we want. We follow Macbeth as he plots and kills in order to become king. As soon as he is crowned, we watch as his world falls apart around him. The play is considered very unlucky - actors shouldn't even say 'Macbeth' if they aren't on the stage performing it. The reason for this is because some people thought Shakespeare didn't include witches as characters in his play, he actually wrote real magic spells in some of the lines. Because of this, the play was cursed - legend has it that some actors died. There are many versions of Macbeth and it has been filmed a number of times.

2. Plot

   • The story: The play opens as 3 witches plan a meeting with Macbeth, who at that moment is fighting in a great battle. When the battle is over, Macbeth and Banquo come across the witches who offer them 3 predictions: Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and Banquo's descendants will become kings. Banquo laughs at the prophecies but Macbeth is excited, especially as soon after their meeting with the witches Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, in return for his bravery in the battle. He writes to Lady Macbeth who's as excited as he is. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on his way to their castle and she invokes evil spirits to help her slay him. Macbeth is talked into killing Duncan by his wife and stabs him to death. No-one is quite sure who committed this murder and no-one feels safe, but Macbeth is crowned king.
     • The story continued: Now that Macbeth is king he knows the 2nd prediction from the witches has come true, but he starts to fear the 3rd prediction. Therefore, Macbeth decides to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong - Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth then thinks he's going mad because he sees Banquo's ghost and receives more predictions from the witches. He starts to become ruthless and kills the family of Macduff. Macbeth still thinks he's safe but one by one the witches' prophecies come true, Lady Macbeth cannot stop thinking about Duncan, becomes deranged and dies. A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and Macbeth is killed by Macduff.
       • Treachery: Act I - The witches begin their manipulation of Macbeth. Puppet: Act II - Lady Macbeth bullies Macbeth into committing the murder of Duncan, he immediately regrets what he's done. Ruthlessness: Act III - Macbeth begins to eliminate those he believes threaten his position. Murder: Act IV - Macbeth arranges the murder of Macduff's family. Justice: Act V - Macbeth is beheaded by Macduff after a lengthly duel between the 2 men.
   • Linking events: In your work you need to show how different events fit together. This means you should know basic storyline and what other parts of the plot are relevant to your task. If your task is about a particular scene, you should know what has already happened and what happens after the scene.
     • Using the plot in your work: Remember to focus on your task or title. The plot is a very important element in your work, but only I you use it sensibly.

3. Character

   • Macbeth: He's a brave and valiant soldier, ready to die for 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's easily persuaded to agree to murder Duncan. However, he often appears weak - he starts t have visions, he starts to ask a lot of questions, he cannot make a decision and never really seems sure of himself. e.g. 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. e.g. he plans to murder Banquo without telling his wife. He also ignores his visions and makes decisions quickly, giving orders rather than asking questions. At times he's full of confidence but he's 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 continued: Macbeth is brave in battle - Duncan calls him 'noble Macbeth' because he's so tough. He's tempted by ambition - he talks about his 'black and deep desires'. He considers killing Duncan - he thinks about 'that suggestion'. He's led by his wife - she tells him to 'leave all the rest to me'. He has a conscience - he cannot say 'amen' after the murder. He regrets killing Duncan - he 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's not afraid to die - 'I'll fight till from my bones my flesh be hack'd'.
       • Macduff: The lord who first finds Duncan's body and who eventually kills Macbeth. He's seen as completely loyal to Duncan and his country. He's brave, swearing to investigate the murder and he doesn't go to see Macbeth crowned which 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's not 'of woman born' - it's as if he has some magical power because only he can kill Macbeth.
         • Malcolm: Duncan's son and is named as the Prince of Cumberland, so will inherit the throne from his father. However, when his father is murdered he runs away to England. He returns later and is convinced by Macduff to join the attack against Macbeth.
     • Lady Macbeth: Lady Macbeth is ambitious - she talks about 'the future in the instant.' She manipulates her husband - she says 'screw your courage to the sticking place'. She's calculating - she says look 'innocent' but be a 'serpent'. She can remain in control - she doesn't 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 becomes deranged - she tries to wash imaginary blood from her hands and we are told she commits suicide.
       • Banquo: 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's never tempted in the way Macbeth is. However, he starts to realise how interested Macbeth is and then gets suspicious of him. Banquo is 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: King at the start of the play. He's a strong ruler. e.g. when he finds out the first Thane of Cawdor is a traitor, he immediately executes him and puts Macbeth in his place. He's also perceptive and knows that you can't always tell who's a traitor. He is respected by everyone. However, he perhaps leads Macbeth into thinking about murder - Duncan announces that Malcolm, will become the next king, and this starts Macbeth thinking of ways he might become king himself.
           • The witches: They 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, e.g. 'double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble'.
             • The murderers: There are 2 of these. They're 2 men who have nothing to lose and will set their 'life on any chance'. In other words, They're desperate and ready for anything.