Macbeth: Context

What type of play is Macbeth?

A history

When was Macbeth written?

1606

What is hamartia?

Greek term used by Aristotle which means ‘fatal flaw’.

What was Macbeth’s hamartia?

His lust for power

What is catharsis?

A Greek term that means purging or cleansing of emotion, mainly through pity

Where can catharsis be seen in Macbeth?

When Macbeth’s self-destructive action climax in Act 5. He is stripped of his majesty, loses his wife and his own life.

What are the original sources for Macbeth from?

The Hollinshed’s Chronicles (1577) and Holinshed’s ‘Historie de Scotlande’

Why was Shakespeare’s writing influenced by James I?

James I was a supporter and patron of his work

Why was there a lot of uncertainty and tension in the Jacobean era?

James I came to power because Elizabeth I had no children. He became King of Scotland in and made an alliance with Elizabeth to secure his place as her successor.

What did King James I write a book on? What was it called?

Called Daemonologie (1597) and it was based on witches and the supernatural.

What was the purpose of Daemonologie?

Explain James’ beliefs on witchcraft and justify the death penalty.

What was the name of the act that James I enacted about witchcraft? What did it do?

An Act against Conjuration, Witchcraft and Dealing with Evil Wicked Spirits. Made witchcraft a felony punishable by death and removed interference from the clergy

What was the divine right of kings?

A belief that the king was chosen by God to be the king and the righteous judge of England.

What happened after James (King of Scotland at this point) could not sail due to a storm to get his betrothed?

Launched a witch hunt in North Berwick in which 70 suspects were rounded up, tortured into confession and then burned at the stake

Why was King James such a strong believer in witchcraft?

He was very misogynistic and thought that only women could be witches due to being the weaker sex. He also believed that Eve caused the Fall.

What is the purpose of witches in Macbeth?

Serve as a warning against witchcraft, evil and bloodshed

Who were the three witches similar to in Greek mythology? Why is Hecate important?

The Fates who were in charge of the destinies of mortals. Hecate was the Greek goddess of magic and spells

Why is Lady Macbeth viewed as the fourth witch?

Due to her passion, power and ambition

What sometimes happened to women in power?

They were attacked and accused of witchcraft

What did the Great Chain of Being originate from?

Aristotle and Plato

What was the Great Chain of Being?

A conception that everything in the universe had a fixed place, according to its importance and spiritual nature

Who were the top two in the Great Chain of Being?

God and then the King

Why was regicide such a serious sin?

It upsets the natural order of the universe, setting off chaos and bloodshed

Which Christian denominations was there a lot of religious conflict between?

Catholic and Protestants

What was the state religion during the Jacobean era? Why was this controversial?

Protestant. Controversial as Mary Queen of Scots (James’ mother) was a staunch Catholic.

Which century of did Macbeth take place in?

11th century

Who could Lord and Lady Macbeth be compared to?

Adam and Eve as Lady Macbeth’s ambition leads to their ultimate demise

What does the fog in 1.1 represent?

The uncertainty and mystery surrounding the play’s events. ‘Filthy’ also suggests moral degredation

Where was the first probable performance of Macbeth?

In front of James I and his brother in law, King Christian IV of Denmark

What may Lady Macbeth’s agency be suggesting?

That its better for women to stick to societal norms

What were women expected to be during the Jacobean era?

Subordinate (lower in status than men), dutiful and nurturing

What were men expected to be during the Jacobean era?

Dominant, superior and noble

How does Macbeth fail to display the expected traits of a man/thane? What does this suggest?

He’s accused of being weak and unmanly. Shakespeare could suggest that failing to meet gender roles means you’re more likely to be influenced by evil

Why would Jacobean audiences be scared of hell, witches, demons and the devil?

They believed the literal word of god