The Tragedy of Macbeth

Plot outline

Sonnet TestFriday – 2 Grades

• Part I – Sonnet Structure, Sydney, and Spenser 6 Questions

• Part II – Shakespeare's Sonnets – 8 questions; all interpretive

• Part III – Short Essay – Steps 2-5 on a new sonnet

Elizabethan Theater

• James Burbage – The Theater 1576• 1597 – The Theater is closed• Rebuilt in 1598 – 99; renamed the Globe• The “wooden O”• Designed after bull and bear baiting rings• 2500 – 3000 people in audience• 1 penny; no sets or lights; eating and drinking in

the audience (hic!) – asides• 1613 – boom! Fire!• Rebuilt but closed by Puritans 1642

The Tragedy of Macbeth

• 11th century Scottish King Macbeth• Raphael Hollingshead – Chronicles of

England, Scotland, and Ireland• Macbeth overthrew Duncan for legitimate

reasons• Co-conspirator = Banquo• Lady Macbeth not part of story• Shakespeare adapts to modern

circumstances

Success of MacbethThen and Now

• A tribute to King James I – especially in view of assassination attempt in 1605

• Guy Fawkes – 36 kegs of gunpowder!• Elizabethan and modern audiences pay to watch

violence• The “occult” fascinates, and Elizabethans had no

doubts about witches and their powers – The curse is immediate and effective. We share their interests.

• Powerful characters/ political relevance

Act I

• Ii – the moor, 11th Century Scotland• “Fair is foul and foul is fair”• 3 witches will meet Macbeth after the battle’s done• Iii – a military camp near Flores• Norway vs. Scotland; Macbeth saves the day; Thane of

Cawdor is traitor; Macbeth named by King Duncan new Thane of Cawdor

• Iiii – the heath • “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.”• Macbeth and Banquo returning from war• 1. 3 witches with 3 predictions• Witches vanish; Macbeth finds out he’s new Thane of C

Act I cont.

• Iiv – Duncan’s castle• Duncan greets and praises Banquo and Macbeth• Names Malcolm heir to the throne• Macbeth’s angry – 2. cite lines that show anger• Iv – Macbeth’s castle• Lady Macbeth reads letter from husband relating events

and witches’ predictions• Lady M’s worried, “I fear thou are too full of the milk of

human kindness”• Evidence of murderous intent: “Unsex me here…”• Read soliloquy

Act I cont.

• Ivi – Lady M welcomes King Duncan to her castle

• Ivii – Macbeth’s second thoughts• Important soliloquy details his doubts about

murdering Duncan• 3. List the 6 reasons he gives for not killing

Duncan – Tonight’s homework!• Lady M enters – 4. Her reaction? 5. Her vow? –

the audience hopes she remains childless• The plot is revealed – 6. How will they do it?• “False face….”