Macbeth Context

William Shakespeare

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• William Shakespeare lived from 1564 to 1616.
• He is one of the most well-known figures of English literature in the world.
• He did not receive formal education past grammar school.
• Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets in his time.

Macbeth

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• Macbeth was first performed in 1606 under the reign of King James I.
• Macbeth takes place in 11th Century Scotland and is inspired by a real Scottish king by the same name.
• Macbeth is Shakespeare's shortest play and one of the most violent.

Shakespeare and King James I

• Of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under James’ reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects Shakespeare's close relationship with him.
• James I was patron to Shakespeare's writing company.
• Macbeth is set in Scotland, paying homage to James' Scottish lineage.
• King James I was known to believe in superstition, influencing Shakespeare to include supernatural elements into the play.
• At the time Macbeth was written, religion and the Divine Right of Kings were very topical. Shakespeare featured many elements of religion in his play.