William Shakespeare & William Shakespeare & MacbethMacbeth

Who was Shakespeare?Who was Shakespeare?

He was born in Stratford, England on He was born in Stratford, England on April 23April 23rdrd(?), 1564 and lived until (?), 1564 and lived until April 23April 23rdrd, 1616. The first record of , 1616. The first record of his existence is his baptism record his existence is his baptism record from April 26from April 26thth, 1564. Traditionally, , 1564. Traditionally, children were baptized at three days children were baptized at three days old so it is assumed that the 23old so it is assumed that the 23rdrd is is his birthday.his birthday.

He had 7 brothers and sisters, but He had 7 brothers and sisters, but only 4 lived past childhood.only 4 lived past childhood.

Stratford, EnglandStratford, England

BiographyBiography

Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare was a leather worker and Shakespeare was a leather worker and councilman. His mother, Mary Arden, councilman. His mother, Mary Arden, inherited quite a bit of land (wealth) inherited quite a bit of land (wealth) from her father when he died.from her father when he died.

Shakespeare’s education and childhood Shakespeare’s education and childhood are not very well known. It is believed are not very well known. It is believed that he attended the King’s New School that he attended the King’s New School of Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he of Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he studied theatre and acting, as well as studied theatre and acting, as well as Latin literature and history.Latin literature and history.

BiographyBiography

After marrying a woman named Ann After marrying a woman named Ann Hathaway, Shakespeare moved to Hathaway, Shakespeare moved to London and began working at the London and began working at the Globe Theater.Globe Theater.

He eventually became part owner of He eventually became part owner of the theater and had his plays the theater and had his plays performed there. performed there.

The Globe The Globe Theater in Theater in London, EnglandLondon, England

The New Globe Theater opened in 1996. It is a 20-sided building with three levels and a thatched roof. Everything is set up the same way it was in the 1600s, meaning no electronic equipment, microphones, or lighting. There is also no scenery and no props.

The TheaterThe Theater

In Shakespeare’s time, plays were one In Shakespeare’s time, plays were one of the main sources of entertainment.of the main sources of entertainment.

There were a number of theaters in There were a number of theaters in London, but The Globe was the most London, but The Globe was the most popular.popular.

People who worked for other theaters People who worked for other theaters would go to The Globe to see a play so would go to The Globe to see a play so they could take notes and steal the they could take notes and steal the material.material.

The TheaterThe Theater

EveryoneEveryone went to see plays. went to see plays. Commoners paid one penny to watch Commoners paid one penny to watch from “the pit,” the area in front of the from “the pit,” the area in front of the stage that had no seats. People with a stage that had no seats. People with a little more money would pay two little more money would pay two pennies to sit in the first section of pennies to sit in the first section of seats. Upper class people would pay seats. Upper class people would pay three pennies to sit in a nicer third area. three pennies to sit in a nicer third area. Rich nobles sat in chairs that were set Rich nobles sat in chairs that were set up on the actual stage.up on the actual stage.

The TheaterThe Theater

The Globe advertised its plays using The Globe advertised its plays using flags.flags.– If a black flag was put up, the play they If a black flag was put up, the play they

were performing was a tragedy.were performing was a tragedy.– If a red flag was put up, the play was a If a red flag was put up, the play was a

history.history.– If a white flag was put up, the play was If a white flag was put up, the play was

a comedy.a comedy.

The TheaterThe Theater

There were venders There were venders everywhereeverywhere. People . People sold clothes, food, jewelry, alcohol, and sold clothes, food, jewelry, alcohol, and many other things.many other things.

People would sometimes go to the theater People would sometimes go to the theater area just to shop and be around hundreds area just to shop and be around hundreds of other people (like going to the mall).of other people (like going to the mall).

The TheaterThe Theater

Shakespeare’s plays were performed Shakespeare’s plays were performed at The Globe until 1644, when it was at The Globe until 1644, when it was shut down by the Puritans.shut down by the Puritans.

In 1648, the Puritans ordered all In 1648, the Puritans ordered all playhouses and theaters to be closed playhouses and theaters to be closed and destroyed. Actors/Actresses and destroyed. Actors/Actresses were arrested and whipped as were arrested and whipped as punishment. Anyone who was caught punishment. Anyone who was caught going to see a play was fined 5 going to see a play was fined 5 shillings. shillings.

Shakespeare’s LiteratureShakespeare’s Literature

In his lifetime, Shakespeare wrote 37 In his lifetime, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets that we know plays and 154 sonnets that we know of.of.

Of the plays, 10 are tragedies (like Of the plays, 10 are tragedies (like MacbethMacbeth), 10 are histories (like ), 10 are histories (like Henry Henry VV), and 17 are comedies (like ), and 17 are comedies (like Taming Taming of the Shrewof the Shrew).).

Most of the plays were not printed Most of the plays were not printed until after Shakespeare’s death. They until after Shakespeare’s death. They were only written to be performed.were only written to be performed.

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s MacbethMacbeth

Play DetailsPlay Details

MacbethMacbeth is a tragedy. is a tragedy.– A A Shakespearean tragedyShakespearean tragedy is a play is a play

that has an admirable but flawed main that has an admirable but flawed main character. The character is made so that character. The character is made so that the audience can understand and the audience can understand and sympathize with him/her.sympathize with him/her.

SettingSetting

MacbethMacbeth is set in Scotland and is set in Scotland and England during the eleventh century.England during the eleventh century.

Glamis Castle

CharactersCharacters

The Three Witches (Weird Sisters)The Three Witches (Weird Sisters) Hecate (Supernatural; queen of the Hecate (Supernatural; queen of the

witches)witches)

CharactersCharacters

Duncan (The King of Scotland)Duncan (The King of Scotland) Malcolm (The King’s Older Son)Malcolm (The King’s Older Son) Donalbain (The King’s Younger Son)Donalbain (The King’s Younger Son)

CharactersCharacters Macbeth (Thane of Glamis)Macbeth (Thane of Glamis) Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s Wife)Lady Macbeth (Macbeth’s Wife) SeytonSeyton Three Murderers (work for Three Murderers (work for Macbeth)Macbeth) A DoctorA Doctor A Gentlewoman (Lady A Gentlewoman (Lady Macbeth’s servant)Macbeth’s servant) A Porter (a man in charge A Porter (a man in charge of the main gate of the castle)of the main gate of the castle)

CharactersCharacters

Banquo (commander of the King’s Banquo (commander of the King’s army, Macbeth’s friend)army, Macbeth’s friend)

Fleance (Banquo’s son)Fleance (Banquo’s son)

CharactersCharacters

Macduff (A Scottish Noble)Macduff (A Scottish Noble) Lady Macduff (Macduff’s wife)Lady Macduff (Macduff’s wife) Their son (No name given)Their son (No name given)

CharactersCharacters

Other Scottish NoblesOther Scottish Nobles– LennoxLennox– RossRoss– AngusAngus– MenteithMenteith– CaithnessCaithness

CharactersCharacters

Siward (Commander of the English Siward (Commander of the English Military)Military)

Young Siward (son of the Young Siward (son of the Commander)Commander)

Other Minor CharactersOther Minor Characters

A Captain in Duncan’s ArmyA Captain in Duncan’s Army An old manAn old man A doctor at the English CourtA doctor at the English Court 3 Messengers3 Messengers 3 Servants3 Servants A LordA Lord A SoldierA Soldier Nonspeaking Characters: Attendants, Nonspeaking Characters: Attendants,

a Sewer (a food tester), Servants, a Sewer (a food tester), Servants, Lords, Thanes, and SoldiersLords, Thanes, and Soldiers