MacbethMacbeth

An introduction to the playAn introduction to the play

Angela IveyAngela Ivey

POOR KING JAMESPOOR KING JAMES

James was taken from his mother (Mary, James was taken from his mother (Mary, Queen of Scots) shortly after birthQueen of Scots) shortly after birth

Father murdered soon after (by his Father murdered soon after (by his mom?)mom?)

His mom was forced from the throne of His mom was forced from the throne of Scotland, imprisoned for 19 years in Scotland, imprisoned for 19 years in England ((by cousin Elizabeth), and England ((by cousin Elizabeth), and finally beheaded (also by cousin finally beheaded (also by cousin Elizabeth)Elizabeth)

Things are looking up…Things are looking up…

James began ruling Scotland at age 19James began ruling Scotland at age 19Married Anne of DenmarkMarried Anne of DenmarkHad 9 childrenHad 9 childrenSurvived numerous assassination Survived numerous assassination

attemptsattempts In 1603, Elizabeth died without an heir In 1603, Elizabeth died without an heir

and James IV of Scotland became—and James IV of Scotland became—simultaneously—James I of Englandsimultaneously—James I of England

Helping the Bard…Helping the Bard…

James was taken with Shakespeare’s James was taken with Shakespeare’s plays.plays.

Gave Shakespeare and his company Gave Shakespeare and his company royal protectionroyal protection

In 1606, he commissioned In 1606, he commissioned Shakespeare to write a play in honor Shakespeare to write a play in honor of his brother-in-law, King Christian of his brother-in-law, King Christian IV of Denmark, who came to visit.IV of Denmark, who came to visit.

Here Comes Trouble…Here Comes Trouble…

James was fascinated by witchcraft and James was fascinated by witchcraft and demons. demons.

He had written a book on demonology He had written a book on demonology and was considered the foremost and was considered the foremost authority on the subject.authority on the subject.

With this in mind, Shakespeare wrote With this in mind, Shakespeare wrote Macbeth,Macbeth, his only play including his only play including witches.witches.

What better “kiss up” than to write a What better “kiss up” than to write a play about the king’s favorite subject?play about the king’s favorite subject?

The Curse Begins…The Curse Begins…

The plot of The plot of MacbethMacbeth is really a thinly is really a thinly disguised telling of the death of James’ disguised telling of the death of James’ father.father.

The witchcraft scenes are authentically The witchcraft scenes are authentically detailed. Some say too authentic…detailed. Some say too authentic…

Some people believe that the Some people believe that the incantations in the play are incantations in the play are actualactual incantations which create a curse and incantations which create a curse and that the curse is renewed each time that the curse is renewed each time the words are spoken.the words are spoken.

Others say that the local witches were Others say that the local witches were so angry at having their secrets so angry at having their secrets revealed that they placed a perpetual revealed that they placed a perpetual curse on the play.curse on the play.

For 400 years, the play has been For 400 years, the play has been surrounded by death and disaster.surrounded by death and disaster.

It is said that bad luck will befall any It is said that bad luck will befall any actor who merely quotes from the play.actor who merely quotes from the play.

In fact, the word “Macbeth” is NEVER In fact, the word “Macbeth” is NEVER uttered in a theatre. It is bad luck!uttered in a theatre. It is bad luck!

The Curse of The Curse of MacbethMacbeth

In the first production, the young In the first production, the young man scehduled to play Lady Macbeth man scehduled to play Lady Macbeth came down with a fever right before came down with a fever right before the performance. Some say he died.the performance. Some say he died.

King James, horrified by the death King James, horrified by the death scenes, banned perfromance for 5 scenes, banned perfromance for 5 years.years.

After the ban, the play was After the ban, the play was performed in the Globe. A few days performed in the Globe. A few days later it burned to the ground.later it burned to the ground.

Disaster Strikes!Disaster Strikes! Early 1900’s: Prompter found dead in prompting boxEarly 1900’s: Prompter found dead in prompting box 1937: Old Vic theatre’s founder suddenly died of a 1937: Old Vic theatre’s founder suddenly died of a

heart attack just before the play opened. Laurence heart attack just before the play opened. Laurence Olivier was almost killed when a sandbag fell from the Olivier was almost killed when a sandbag fell from the raftersrafters

1948: Actress playing Lady Macbeth fell 15 feet off 1948: Actress playing Lady Macbeth fell 15 feet off the edge of the stage.the edge of the stage.

1942: One of the witches died of a heart attack, 1942: One of the witches died of a heart attack, “Duncan” died of a heart attack; Another witch died of “Duncan” died of a heart attack; Another witch died of a heart attack; set designer committed suicide…all in a heart attack; set designer committed suicide…all in one production!one production!

Russian version to be filmed in Georgia was canceled Russian version to be filmed in Georgia was canceled when 9 members of the crew died of food poisoning.when 9 members of the crew died of food poisoning.

1971: 7 burglaries, one fire during a 3 month run.1971: 7 burglaries, one fire during a 3 month run.