By: Saadiq

Author Study Presentation

Animoto for Macbeth

ThesisShakespeare was influenced by the cultural environment around him when he wrote his plays.

MacbethOne of Shakespeare’s most famous and bloodiest

tragedies, Macbeth takes place in Scotland. “It’s about a Scottish nobleman who becomes king by killing off all his rivals.” (BrainPop) There was also a figure in Scottish history named Macbeth who became king and is thought to have been inspiration for the play.

Macbeth and his friend Banquo return from fighting (and winning) a war and come across three mysterious witches. They prophesize that Macbeth will gain a title of honor and will also become king of Scotland. Later, Macbeth gets the title of honor and has thoughts of murdering the current king, Duncan. Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s home as a guest and is further convinced to kill him by his wife. Macbeth secretly murders Duncan and is crowned king, but he soon becomes paranoid that some people might take over and he sends murderers to take care of them. After a while, Macduff, another noble goes to England along with Malcolm, Duncan’s son and others against Macbeth to end his rule. Meanwhile, Macbeth gathers his small forces for the battle. Macduff and his army arrive and he goes to confront Macbeth. They duel and Macduff eventually kills him. He visits Malcolm with Macbeth’s severed head and Malcolm tells him that he’ll be crowned king.

The Taming of The ShrewOne of Shakespeare’s delightful comedies, The

Taming of The Shrew takes place in Padua, Italy. It was partly based off of a comedy called The Supposes by George Gascoigine, which was itself adapted from a story by the Italian poet Ludovico Ariosto.

It’s also a play within a play, involving a frame story about a drunk beggar and how he’s tricked into believing he’s a lord watching a play. The actual play is about how a suitor, Petruchio, tries to tame the “shrew” Katherine. She has to get married before her sister Bianca can chose a husband from her many suitors. They devise a complex plan in order to get Katherine married and to get Bianca.

Shakespeare’s TimeShakespeare lived during The Enlightenment and some time after

The Renaissance, which were both large influential cultural movements in Europe. The Renaissance emphasized humanism, which was an idea regarding human values. “Scholars and artists during that time studied and wanted to recapture the spirit of the Greek and Roman cultures in their own artistic, literary and philosophic works. (World Book)

For example, Shakespeare included the three witches ( Greek/Roman Fates) and the Greek/Roman goddess, Hecate in Macbeth. There is also some humanism when Macbeth uses reason to kill his enemies, but soon goes crazy with murder.

“If it were done when 'tis done, then ‘twere well/It were done quickly: if the assassination/Could trammel up the consequence, and catch/With his surcease success; that but this blow/Might be the be-all and the end-all here/But here, upon this bank and shoal of time/We'ld jump the life to come. But in these cases/We still have judgment here…” Macbeth Act I, Scene 7,Lines 474- 481.

The Black DeathThe Black Death, a seemingly incurable deadly

epidemic that killed millions of people, especially in Europe, occurred a few centuries before Shakespeare’s time but with small outbreaks occurring, it started to scare people once more. The very thought of death could’ve influenced Shakespeare’s works. “Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player/That struts and frets his hour upon the stage/ And then is heard no more.”Macbeth Act V, Scene 5, 19-28After hearing of his wife’s death, Macbeth talks about the futility of life and how it’s like a bad play. His tyranny and murder spree could’ve represented The Black Death.

The Globe TheatreThe large, famous playhouse, constructed by the Burbage brothers was located in the bank side of the south side of the Thames River in the suburb of Southwark. (World Book)It was made for Shakespeare’s acting company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men and many of his plays were performed there. A diverse group of people from the monarch to a commoner would watch Shakespeare’s plays performed, so he might’ve wanted to appease all of them by including things that they would all like. (Shakespeare: Man of the Theatre)“There 's husbandry in heaven/ Their candles are all out.” Macbeth, Act II, Scene 1, Lines 4-5Everyone would’ve understood this line in Macbeth to mean that the power in heaven has turned off their lights.

Shakespeare’s MonarchThe main ruler of Shakespeare’s time was Queen Elizabeth (1533-1603).

Her rule is called a Golden Age for her many accomplishments such as heading off threats of invasion, rebellions and Catholic plots (Elizabeth was a Protestant),growing the economy, and more. In her time, there was a lot of literary growth including great poems, essays, stories and plays. (World Book). Sir Francis Drake was able to successfully sail around the world in her reign and an American colony was created too. (Brain Pop) Shakespeare wrote many of his plays in her time and it might’ve influenced Shakespeare to write this line in Macbeth.

“The son of Duncan/From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth,/Lives in the English court, and is received,/Of the most pious Edward with such grace. /That the malevolence of fortune nothing/Takes from his high respect. Thither Macduff /Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid…” Macbeth, Act III, Scene 6, Lines 24-29

Here, Shakespeare makes the then-present King Edward the Confessor sound good to reference the great rule of Queen Elizabeth, even though the play was written during the rule of King James.

Shakespeare’s Monarch (cont.)

King James (1566-1625), the ruler of Scotland became the king of England when his cousin Queen Elizabeth died. He was a scholar who wrote books about theology, witchcraft, and the divine right of kings. (World Book) He enjoyed and supported the theatre and was a great believer in displaying the magnificence of his court. He gave a royal license to the Lord Chamberlin’s men to become the King’s Men. They performed plays for him in return. Shakespeare responded to this new atmosphere and wrote great, complex plays. It was an extra-ordinary literary time for him. It led to the King’s Men being famous, successful and professional.(World Book) This could mean that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for King James and included his interests in it. He’s even mentioned in the play in a future vision Macbeth has, “two fold balls and treble scepters carry.”

Shakespeare’s LondonIn Elizabeth’s time, there was a period of great optimism,

patriotism and peace when the English Navy destroyed the powerful Spanish Armada. Writers thought that England was a chosen nation, however there was uncertainty about Elizabeth’s succession. During this time, London was growing and it developed into an important world trading center. It became one of the largest cities in the world. When James became king, there was some peace, but there was also a change to a pessimistic society. Dramas portrayed corruptness and life in constant fear. “Certainly Shakespeare’s plays reveal a shift from optimism to pessimism…After 1600, Shakespeare’s dramas show the confused, gloomy, and the bitter social attitudes of the time.” (World Book) This probably had a major effect in London, where Shakespeare wrote his plays and where the English monarch lived. This pessimism is seen throughout Macbeth and especially when his tyrannical rule is described.

“Bleed, bleed, poor country!/Great tyranny, lay thou thy basis sure,/

For goodness dare not check thee…” Macbeth, Act 4, Scene 3, Lines 32-34

Analysis of Writing StyleShakespeare uses a lot of figurative language and rhetorical devices in his writing. For example, when the witches in Macbeth talk, they use couplet rhymes such as,” done-won” and “mine-nine” to add a mysterious mood. At the end of scenes, rhymes are used to add suspense such as, “death-Macbeth” at the end of Act 1 Scene 2 and “drowse-rouse, still-ill” at the end of Act 3 Scene 2. Macbeth also has metaphors like “milk of/human kindness” and “I feel like my mind is of full of/scorpions.”

Analysis of Writing Style (cont.)

Shakespeare also uses similes like “Look like th’/innocent flower” and “whole as the marble, founded as the rock.” He even includes allusions to make comparisons such as, “Golgotha, Hecate, Tarquin, Neptune, Gorgon and Rome.” There were also some rhetorical devices used, like antithesis in “foul and fair” and polysyndenton in “tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.” Shakespeare also used short dialogue to move along the action of a play, and long dialogue for ideas, descriptions and other uses. There’s also some setting description and imagery. These all show that Shakespeare used a variety of techniques in his writing. This is his writing style.

ConclusionWilliam Shakespeare, lived in Elizabethan London and his works (Macbeth, The Taming of The Shrew etc.) were influenced by that time period and cultural environment.