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Macbeth - The Historical Context

Divine Order and the Divine right of Kings

The Gunpowder plot of 1605

Religious conflict (Catholics V Protestants)

The Globe Theatre

Witchcraft and Superstition

James I

Kings derive their authority from God

King's orders = God's will

Sometimes used by kings to abuse power

Kings called tyrants if they abused this power

Shows the impact the church had on people

King of Scotland and England

James VI (Scotland) and James I (England)

His reign unified Scotland and England

James I did reign in Shakespeare's time

The union between Scotland and England only lasted until his death

Women who were giving people healing remedies seen as "witches"

Witches burnt

Witches seen as threats to the public

"Witchcraft and Sorcery" seen as forbidden

"magic" seen as against religious law

A theatre specifically used to perform Shakespeare's plays

Still used today

Designed by the people who worked with Shakespeare

Shakespeare's plays performed there

Built in 1599

Discrimination in the different sects of Christianity

Outlooks on the sects of religion changed as the monarch's religion changed

Elizabeth I - Protestant

Mary I - Catholic

Catholics burned during the reign of Elizabeth I

Caused more prejudice against catholics

Plotters found out when gunpowder was found in the house of lords

All plotters (famously Guy Fawkes) executed

Seen as an attack on the establishment

Catholics tried to blow up Parliament and assassinate the king in the process