An introduction-to-macbeth
- 2. Macbeth by Shakespeare ( 1564- 1616) Macbeth is one of Shakespeare most powerful plays. It was written in the early 1600s, and the story takes place six centuries earlier, in the eleventh-century Scotland. But we are still interested today in the effects of ambition, the politics of loyalty and betrayal, and the battle between good and evil.
- 3. The supernatural, the importance of fate and the confusion between appearance and reality, are also important in Macbeth. Most important, perhaps, are the witches and their predictions of future greatness for Macbeth. They have a powerful effect on Macbeth’s actions.
- 4. The battle between fate and free choice is also central to the story. Macbeth tries very hard to be the father of a long line of kings, but without success. Fate is stronger than free will –and evil is more powerful than good.
- 5. • In British theatres, many actors and stage-workers believe that Macbeth is an unlucky play. They never call the play by its name, the call it "The Scottish Play" or "MacBee", or when referring to the character, they say "Mr. and Mrs. M", or "The Scottish King". • This is because Shakespeare is said to have used the spells of real witches in his text, purportedly angering the witches and causing them to curse the play. Therefore, to say the name of the play inside a theatre is believed to doom the production to failure, and perhaps cause physical injury or death to cast members.
- 6. Macbeth was probably first performed in 1606 for king James I*, the first king of both England and Scotland. The king was very interested in the subject of witches, although he was afraid of them as well. Macbeth is a real character in Scottish history, but the Macbeth of Shakespeare’s play was very different from the real man. • (*He was the king when the Gun Powder Plot took place in 1605)
- 7. Macbeth was probably first performed in 1606 for king James I*, the first king of both England and Scotland. The king was very interested in the subject of witches, although he was afraid of them as well. Macbeth is a real character in Scottish history, but the Macbeth of Shakespeare’s play was very different from the real man. (He was the king when the Gun Powder Plot took place in 1605)
- 8. WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: Shakespeare was born on 23rd April 1564 and died on 23rd of April 1616. This year, therefore, we celebrate the 400th anniversary of his death. We know that Shakespeare attended a grammar school but did not go to university. In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway and had three children.
- 9. CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY (MACBETH) DUNCAN (King of Scotland) Malcolm and Donalblain his sons Macbeth (Thane of Glamis) *Thane of Cawdor Lady Macbeth First witch / Second witch / Third witch Banquo / Macduff / Lennox / Ross (Thanes of Scotland) Porter at Macbeth’s castle First/ Second / Third murderers The Head / The second spirit / The third spirit The first Thane / The second Thane Servant Doctor Messenger Young Seyward