Macbeth context

Divine Right of Kings

At the time, it was believed that the line of kings was divinely appointed by God, and that the rightful king must rule the country.

Great Chain of Being

Elizabethan England believed there was a hierarchy called the Great Chain of Being, with God at the top, then the monarchy just below, then the rest of humanity below the monarchy.

This chain breaking would cause things to go wrong for a country.

Demonology

King James wrote extensively about the dangers of witchcraft in Demonology

On Kingship

King James wrote a book called "On Kingship", claiming that there were two types of kings:

• Rightful kings put the kingdom before themselves

• Usurping tyrants put themselves before the kingdom

Basilikon Doron

King James set out advice to his son in Basilikon Doron, writing that a king must:

• Appoint wise counsellors

• Travel the realm to impart justice personally

• Condemning flattery as the main cause of corruption of kings

King James' Rule

King James I's rule started precariously as he was Elizabeth I's cousin, not son, and was previously part of Scotland

The King's Men

King James I was a patron of Shakespeare's theatre company - the King's men - so Shakespeare would want to please him

Gunpowder Plot

In 1605, Robert Catesby plotted to assassinate King James I by getting Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses of Parliament, to rebel against the Protestant rule

Equivocation

Many Catholics in Elizabethan England used equivocation to avoid admitting to being Catholic, and Father Garnet used it to try to avoid a guilty verdict for the Gunpowder Plot. Equivocation was frowned upon.

Tragedy

A drama centred upon a tragic hero, wo makes a fatal error of judgement (hamartia), leading to a state of realisation (anagnorisis ) and their own downfall

Gender

• Jacobean women were expected to be obedient to men, gentle and to care for their children.

• Lady Macbeth rebelled against this expectation (although as a noblewomen wouldn't have done domestic tasks anyway)

• Queen Elizabeth I also defied these expectations, having no husband or children herself and ruling England