By: William Shakespeare

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s MacbethMacbeth Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare wrote Macbeth Macbeth in 1606 for James I in 1606 for James I

of England. of England. Shakespeare changed several details, including Shakespeare changed several details, including

the role that James’ ancestor, Banquo, played in the role that James’ ancestor, Banquo, played in the murder of King Duncan. the murder of King Duncan.

James had an interest in demonology; James had an interest in demonology; there was an underlying cultural belief there was an underlying cultural belief in magic. in magic.

The Witchcraft Act of 1604 extended The Witchcraft Act of 1604 extended the definition of what it meant to be a the definition of what it meant to be a witch and made the crime witch and made the crime punishable by death. punishable by death.

The SourceThe Source The source for The source for

Macbeth Macbeth is is Raphael Raphael Holinshed’s Holinshed’s The The Chronicles of Chronicles of Scotland Scotland (1577).(1577).

It outlines the life It outlines the life and career of the and career of the real Macbeth, from real Macbeth, from his first meeting his first meeting with the witches to with the witches to his death at the his death at the hands of Macduff.hands of Macduff.

The Real MacbethThe Real Macbeth

The real Macbeth was born around 1005, The real Macbeth was born around 1005, into a powerful family that ruled the into a powerful family that ruled the Scottish lands of Moray and Ross.Scottish lands of Moray and Ross.

The grandson of Malcolm II, Macbeth The grandson of Malcolm II, Macbeth was in a strong position for the crown.was in a strong position for the crown.

Macbeth took Duncan’s Macbeth took Duncan’s crown by force and became crown by force and became High King of Scotland in High King of Scotland in around 1040. around 1040.

Stage History of MacbethStage History of Macbeth

Superstition surrounds the playSuperstition surrounds the play Is never called by its name by the players Is never called by its name by the players

performing it - called “the Scottish play”performing it - called “the Scottish play” After first performance in 1606, Lady After first performance in 1606, Lady

Macbeth diedMacbeth died An actual murder took place on stage in An actual murder took place on stage in

one productionone production There were four deaths during another There were four deaths during another

productionproduction

““Something wicked this way Something wicked this way comes!”comes!”

In early modern England, witchcraft was In early modern England, witchcraft was associated with rebellion and treasonassociated with rebellion and treason

Witches were transgressiveWitches were transgressive Deviant + Female = WitchDeviant + Female = Witch In a witch trial, the burden of In a witch trial, the burden of

proof lay with the woman to proof lay with the woman to prove her innocence. prove her innocence.

Accusations were associated with mundane Accusations were associated with mundane everyday life: livestock dying, crops failing, everyday life: livestock dying, crops failing, babies getting sickbabies getting sick

The evidence was circumstantialThe evidence was circumstantial Mostly widows or spinsters were accused – Mostly widows or spinsters were accused –

women on the fringes of society, women living women on the fringes of society, women living independent of menindependent of men

Act I: The Stage is SetAct I: The Stage is Set Existing both marginally Existing both marginally

and centrally to the play, and centrally to the play, the witches in the witches in Macbeth Macbeth actually appear in only a actually appear in only a few scenes. few scenes.

Scholars agree that later Scholars agree that later scenes were added scenes were added because the witches because the witches were popular among were popular among audiences.audiences.

Their introduction in Act Their introduction in Act I, Scene I establishes the I, Scene I establishes the mood and tone of the mood and tone of the playplay

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (1.1.12)What does this statement suggest? Foreshadowing?Macbeth echoes this line when he says, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (1.3.36)

The Weird SistersThe Weird Sisters Women connected Women connected

with fate or destiny, with fate or destiny, having a mysterious or having a mysterious or unearthly appearanceunearthly appearance Represent a community Represent a community

of womenof women Connections to the Connections to the

village witchvillage witch Shrews in that they are Shrews in that they are

unmarried, powerful, unmarried, powerful, subversive womensubversive women

Bearded women, less Bearded women, less than humanthan human

Act 1. Scene 1: The Act 1. Scene 1: The WitchesWitches

What difference does it make that the What difference does it make that the play begins with the witches and then play begins with the witches and then switches to the battlefield?switches to the battlefield? Aside from the obvious “when the Aside from the obvious “when the

battle’s lost and won” (1.1.4)battle’s lost and won” (1.1.4) Juxtaposition between the natural and Juxtaposition between the natural and

unnatural and how those lines blurunnatural and how those lines blur The witches represent both the natural The witches represent both the natural

(Mother Earth) and the unnatural (witchcraft, (Mother Earth) and the unnatural (witchcraft, outcasts)outcasts)

The battle represents both the natural world The battle represents both the natural world of man and the unnatural (war, death)of man and the unnatural (war, death)

Act 1. Scene 2: The Act 1. Scene 2: The BattlefieldBattlefield

Macbeth and Banquo are the heroes of Macbeth and Banquo are the heroes of battlebattle

They win the victory for ScotlandThey win the victory for Scotland Macbeth is granted the title Thane of Macbeth is granted the title Thane of

CawdorCawdor What difference does it make that this title was What difference does it make that this title was

taken from a traitor to the king and transferred taken from a traitor to the king and transferred to Macbeth?to Macbeth? Duncan: No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive Duncan: No more that Thane of Cawdor shall deceive

Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death Our bosom interest. Go pronounce his present death

And with his former title greet Macbeth.And with his former title greet Macbeth.

What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. (1.2.63-What he hath lost, noble Macbeth hath won. (1.2.63-65, 67)65, 67)

Act 1. Scene 3: The Act 1. Scene 3: The ProphecyProphecy

Banquo describes the witches’ Banquo describes the witches’ appearance, how?appearance, how?

The witches foretell that Macbeth shall The witches foretell that Macbeth shall be Thane of Cawdor and king.be Thane of Cawdor and king.

The witches foretell that Banquo will be The witches foretell that Banquo will be “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater…Not “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater…Not so happy, yet much happier”…and shall so happy, yet much happier”…and shall beget kings though he be none (1.3.63-beget kings though he be none (1.3.63-65).65).

How do Banquo and Macbeth react to How do Banquo and Macbeth react to these prophecies?these prophecies?

Macbeth and Banquo respond to the Macbeth and Banquo respond to the witches’ predictions with an air of disbelief witches’ predictions with an air of disbelief Does the power of the witches lie in the power Does the power of the witches lie in the power

of suggestion? Do they command the action of of suggestion? Do they command the action of the play?the play?

Is Macbeth merely a pawn in their game? Or, Is Macbeth merely a pawn in their game? Or, does Macbeth use the predictions as does Macbeth use the predictions as permission to ruthlessly go after what he permission to ruthlessly go after what he wants?wants? Banquo: “And oftentimes to win us to our harm / Banquo: “And oftentimes to win us to our harm /

The instruments of darkness tell us truths” (1.3.123-The instruments of darkness tell us truths” (1.3.123-124)124)

Banquo is the voice of reasonBanquo is the voice of reason Foreshadows Macbeth’s downfall Foreshadows Macbeth’s downfall

Act 1. Scene 5: Duncan is Act 1. Scene 5: Duncan is DoomedDoomed

At the end of Scene 4, Macbeth is At the end of Scene 4, Macbeth is contemplating murder so that he might contemplating murder so that he might be made king: “Stars, Hide your fires, / be made king: “Stars, Hide your fires, / Let not light see my black and deep Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4.50-51).desires” (1.4.50-51). He seems uncertain, hesitantHe seems uncertain, hesitant

At the beginning of Scene 5, Lady At the beginning of Scene 5, Lady Macbeth is also plotting Duncan’s Macbeth is also plotting Duncan’s murder.murder. She seems positive, determinedShe seems positive, determined

Enter…Lady MacbethEnter…Lady Macbeth She fears that Macbeth is not She fears that Macbeth is not

ruthless enough to murderruthless enough to murder This suggests that she is more This suggests that she is more

masculine than he at this pointmasculine than he at this point Role reversal here; yet, she asks Role reversal here; yet, she asks

the spirits to “unsex” her (1.5.37)the spirits to “unsex” her (1.5.37) Make her less feminine and Make her less feminine and

more masculine so that she more masculine so that she might be able to kill like a manmight be able to kill like a man

Change her milk to gall, Change her milk to gall, erasing the very essence of erasing the very essence of womanhoodwomanhood

Act 1. Scene 7: The Plot Act 1. Scene 7: The Plot ThickensThickens

She warns Macbeth to look innocent, to behave She warns Macbeth to look innocent, to behave as the welcoming host, and to hide the truth of as the welcoming host, and to hide the truth of his intentions, his intentions,

When he begins to change his mind, she When he begins to change his mind, she encourages him by saying, “Screw your encourages him by saying, “Screw your courage to the sticking place / And we’ll not courage to the sticking place / And we’ll not fail” (1.7.61-62)fail” (1.7.61-62)

She tells him to leave everything to her – a She tells him to leave everything to her – a definite role reversal definite role reversal

She is transgressive in this scene – stepping She is transgressive in this scene – stepping outside the bounds of women’s roles in society, outside the bounds of women’s roles in society, appropriating the speech and mannerisms of appropriating the speech and mannerisms of men, much like the witchesmen, much like the witches

““Undaunted mettle”Undaunted mettle”

Macbeth suggests that his wife should Macbeth suggests that his wife should “Bring forth men-children only, / For thy “Bring forth men-children only, / For thy undaunted mettle should compose / undaunted mettle should compose / Nothing but males” (1.7.72-74). What does Nothing but males” (1.7.72-74). What does he infer?he infer?

Lady Macbeth declares that no one will Lady Macbeth declares that no one will doubt them in their own home, once doubt them in their own home, once they’ve displayed their anguish over the they’ve displayed their anguish over the king’s death.king’s death.

Macbeth responds, “False face must hide Macbeth responds, “False face must hide what the false heart doth know” (1.7.82).what the false heart doth know” (1.7.82).

Act 2: Duncan’s DemiseAct 2: Duncan’s Demise In Scene 1, Macbeth imagines that he sees a floating In Scene 1, Macbeth imagines that he sees a floating

dagger, handle extended toward him dagger, handle extended toward him His anxiety about the coming deed weighs heavily His anxiety about the coming deed weighs heavily

on himon him In Scene 2, Lady Macbeth takes drugged nightcaps In Scene 2, Lady Macbeth takes drugged nightcaps

to the king’s guards and then lays their daggers to the king’s guards and then lays their daggers in plain sight for in plain sight for Macbeth to find. Her Macbeth to find. Her resolve begins to crack. resolve begins to crack. She notes, “I laid their daggers ready, / She notes, “I laid their daggers ready, /

He could not miss ’em. Had he He could not miss ’em. Had he (Duncan) not resembled / My father as he slept, I (Duncan) not resembled / My father as he slept, I had done’t” (2.2.11-13). had done’t” (2.2.11-13).

Macbeth murders Duncan (off-stage)Macbeth murders Duncan (off-stage) The audience gets the account of the murder The audience gets the account of the murder

as he retells the story to Lady Macbethas he retells the story to Lady Macbeth The guards stir, but do not wake sufficiently to The guards stir, but do not wake sufficiently to

realize what is happeningrealize what is happening Macbeth laments “I had most need of blessing and Macbeth laments “I had most need of blessing and

‘Amen’ / Stuck in my throat” (2.2.35).‘Amen’ / Stuck in my throat” (2.2.35). Macbeth’s “sleep no more” speech (2.2.38-46) Macbeth’s “sleep no more” speech (2.2.38-46)

suggests that he has murdered peaceful sleep as suggests that he has murdered peaceful sleep as well – in fact, the two will not sleep well again for well – in fact, the two will not sleep well again for the remainder of the play.the remainder of the play.

He is so rattled that he forgets to leave the He is so rattled that he forgets to leave the daggers with the guards (evidence), but brings daggers with the guards (evidence), but brings them to his chamber – Lady Macbeth returns them them to his chamber – Lady Macbeth returns them to the guards’ bedchamber.to the guards’ bedchamber.

Lady Macbeth still seems certain in her resolve, Lady Macbeth still seems certain in her resolve, “A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.70). “A little water clears us of this deed” (2.2.70).

The Murder Discovered The Murder Discovered In Scene 3, the porter provides comic In Scene 3, the porter provides comic

relief to the tense scenes playing out on relief to the tense scenes playing out on stage.stage.

Duncan’s body is discovered and the Duncan’s body is discovered and the guards are the prime suspects.guards are the prime suspects.

Macbeth murders the guards before they Macbeth murders the guards before they can be questioned, saying, “Who could can be questioned, saying, “Who could refrain, / That had a heart to love and in refrain, / That had a heart to love and in that heart / Courage to make’s love that heart / Courage to make’s love known? (2.3.112-113)known? (2.3.112-113)

Donaldbain and Malcolm flee the country. Donaldbain and Malcolm flee the country. What does this suggest?What does this suggest?

Macbeth is made High King of Scotland.Macbeth is made High King of Scotland.

Act 3: King of ScotlandAct 3: King of Scotland

Banquo suspects Macbeth has murdered Banquo suspects Macbeth has murdered Duncan: Duncan: Thou has it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all, Thou has it now, King, Cawdor, Glamis, all,

As the weird women promis’d, and I As the weird women promis’d, and I fear Thou played’st most foully for’t” fear Thou played’st most foully for’t” (3.1.1-3)(3.1.1-3)

He begins to wonder if his own prophecy He begins to wonder if his own prophecy will come true will come true

Macbeth fears that it will, to the Macbeth fears that it will, to the detriment of his own reign detriment of his own reign

Macbeth plots the murders of Banquo Macbeth plots the murders of Banquo and Fleance. Why? (3.1.55-65)and Fleance. Why? (3.1.55-65) He doesn’t tell Lady Macbeth his plans, He doesn’t tell Lady Macbeth his plans,

even though she askseven though she asks He tells her to “Be innocent of the He tells her to “Be innocent of the

knowledge” (3.2.45)knowledge” (3.2.45) There seems to be a switch happening There seems to be a switch happening

here; Macbeth is growing more certain here; Macbeth is growing more certain of himself and of his actions, more of himself and of his actions, more masculinemasculine

In Scene 3, Macbeth’s hired murderers In Scene 3, Macbeth’s hired murderers kill Banquo; Fleance escapes.kill Banquo; Fleance escapes.

3.4: The Banquet Scene3.4: The Banquet Scene Following Banquo’s death, his ghost Following Banquo’s death, his ghost

torments Macbeth at the banquettorments Macbeth at the banquet Macbeth truly Macbeth truly

appears to be appears to be mad in this mad in this scene scene

Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth makes excuses for him, all the makes excuses for him, all the while she is again questioning his while she is again questioning his manhoodmanhood

The first sign that things are unravelingThe first sign that things are unraveling

Act 4: The ApparitionsAct 4: The Apparitions First apparition (an armed First apparition (an armed

head): Beware Macduffhead): Beware Macduff Second apparition (a Second apparition (a

bloody babe): No man born bloody babe): No man born of woman can harm of woman can harm MacbethMacbeth

Third apparition (a royal Third apparition (a royal child holding a tree): He child holding a tree): He will never be vanquished will never be vanquished until Great Birnam Wood until Great Birnam Wood comes against himcomes against him

Fourth apparition (the line Fourth apparition (the line of 8 kings): Banquo’s of 8 kings): Banquo’s children will be kings children will be kings

4.2: The Death of the 4.2: The Death of the MacduffsMacduffs

Macbeth plots the death of the House of Macbeth plots the death of the House of MacduffMacduff

He really has no motive to kill Lady Macduff He really has no motive to kill Lady Macduff and her children; they pose no threat to herand her children; they pose no threat to her

Lady Macduff laments that she has been Lady Macduff laments that she has been abandoned by her husband; he has left them abandoned by her husband; he has left them alone, knowing that Macbeth will come for alone, knowing that Macbeth will come for them; she calls him a traitor (4.2.4-5)them; she calls him a traitor (4.2.4-5)

Is Macduff fulfilling his duty to the nation? Is Macduff fulfilling his duty to the nation? Is he fulfilling the prophecy of the witches? Is he fulfilling the prophecy of the witches? Why does he leave his family alone?Why does he leave his family alone?

4.3: Macduff’s Grief4.3: Macduff’s Grief Macduff learns of the murders of his Macduff learns of the murders of his

wife and childrenwife and children Macduff must prove his loyalty to Macduff must prove his loyalty to

Malcolm and to ScotlandMalcolm and to Scotland In his grief, Malcolm tells Macduff that In his grief, Malcolm tells Macduff that

he must “Dispute it like a man.” he must “Dispute it like a man.” Macduff responds, “I shall do so: / But I Macduff responds, “I shall do so: / But I must also feel it as a man” (4.3.222-must also feel it as a man” (4.3.222-224)224)

What does this suggest about Macduff’s What does this suggest about Macduff’s character?character?

5.1: Lady Macbeth’s 5.1: Lady Macbeth’s MadnessMadness

Lady Macbeth has Lady Macbeth has been driven mad by been driven mad by the guilt that she the guilt that she feels over her feels over her actionsactions

Her hands don’t Her hands don’t seem clean to her – seem clean to her – stained with the stained with the blood of those slain, blood of those slain, “Out, damned spot! “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (5.1.31) Out, I say!” (5.1.31)

This is the point where the roles This is the point where the roles reverse, or are set rightreverse, or are set right

Lady Macbeth finally behaves in the Lady Macbeth finally behaves in the stereotypical way that a woman stereotypical way that a woman would respond to her part in the would respond to her part in the murder – she loses murder – she loses her mindher mind

As her strength (and sanity) As her strength (and sanity) declines, Macbeth’s increases declines, Macbeth’s increases

He grows stronger in the He grows stronger in the aggressive ways of men as aggressive ways of men as she retreats from them. she retreats from them.

5.4: Birnam Wood 5.4: Birnam Wood MarchesMarches

The first of the The first of the prophecies comes prophecies comes true as the men of true as the men of malcolm’s army cut malcolm’s army cut down boughs and down boughs and carry them so that carry them so that their numbers are their numbers are masked masked

Macbeth sees the Macbeth sees the forest marching forest marching toward high toward high Dunsinane Hill.Dunsinane Hill.

““Out, out, brief candle…”Out, out, brief candle…”

Macbeth wishes she had died at a more Macbeth wishes she had died at a more opportune time.opportune time.

His “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and His “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow” speech (5.5.17-28) suggests tomorrow” speech (5.5.17-28) suggests that life is short and ultimately that life is short and ultimately meaningless.meaningless.

““It is a tale / Told by an It is a tale / Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, idiot, full of sound and fury, / Signifying / Signifying nothing” (5.5.26-nothing” (5.5.26-28).28).

Enter MacduffEnter Macduff Macbeth realizes too late that Macduff was from Macbeth realizes too late that Macduff was from

his mother’s womb “untimely ripped” (5.8.15)his mother’s womb “untimely ripped” (5.8.15) Macbeth “will not yield…Lay on, Macduff, / And Macbeth “will not yield…Lay on, Macduff, / And

damn’d be him damn’d be him that first cries, that first cries, ‘Hold, enough’” ‘Hold, enough’” (5.8.28, 33-34). (5.8.28, 33-34).

Does Macbeth Does Macbeth redeem himself redeem himself just a little in this just a little in this final act of bravery? final act of bravery? Has he been restored to the “brave Macbeth” Has he been restored to the “brave Macbeth” (1.2.16) we saw at the beginning of the play?(1.2.16) we saw at the beginning of the play?

The Truth be ToldThe Truth be Told The witches’ prophecies The witches’ prophecies

hold true, but Macbeth is hold true, but Macbeth is caught in the nuances of caught in the nuances of their predictions, the their predictions, the details he cannot foresee.details he cannot foresee.

If they are driving the If they are driving the action, did they action, did they accomplish their goals?accomplish their goals?

If they are only If they are only instruments that Macbeth instruments that Macbeth uses to achieve his goals, uses to achieve his goals, has he finally gotten what has he finally gotten what he deserves?he deserves?

““Of this dead butcher Of this dead butcher and his fiend-like queen”and his fiend-like queen”

Macduff kills Macbeth Macduff kills Macbeth and brings his head to and brings his head to Malcolm, the new and Malcolm, the new and rightful High King of rightful High King of Scotland.Scotland.

What is the moral of What is the moral of this tale? What are this tale? What are we to learn from we to learn from Macbeth?Macbeth?