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Are people born as inherently evil, or is this a learned behavior created by an individual’s environment, to which we are all subjected?. History and Background. History of the Play. Written in 1606; however, it was not published until 1623
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Are people born as inherently evil, or is this a learned behavior created by an individual’s environment, to which we are all subjected?
History of the Play • Written in 1606; however, it was not published until 1623 • Performed for King of Denmark, brother-in-law to King James I
The story… • Macbeth is Shakespeare’s shortest* and bloodiest play. • It is unique in that it is the only traditional tragedy to involve characters of supernatural origin • The story follows a Thane of Scotland named Macbeth, who, after being passed up as a successor to the Scottish throne in favor of the king’s son, is convinced by his wife to murder the king to fulfill a prophecy given to him by witches. • The play chronicles Macbeth’s descent into madness and his eventual downfall as the king of Scotland as a result of his own ambitions furthered by the behests of his wife, Lady Macbeth.
Source Material • Shakespeare used The Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland as his source for the historic material in the play. • The real Macbeth reigned from 1040-1057 • Macbeth gained his power by murdering King Duncan over a dispute/grievance. • He was consulted by three “women of ill repute” who made predictions about the future • He was aided and encouraged by his wife, his friend Banquo, and others to kill Duncan. • Becoming paranoid much later, Macbeth eventually ordered the death of Banquo and his son. • Banquo’s son escaped, and finds refuge in the House of Stewart, making him ancestor to King James I of England • Duncan’s son, Malcolm later returns and murders Macbeth in 1057 and retakes his father’s throne.
Shakespeare’s Changes Additionally, Shakespeare condenses Macbeth’s reign to 10 weeks (instead of 17 years) as well as the time between invasions and betrayals (MacDonald, Sweno (King) of Norway, and the Thane of Cawdor) • Shakespeare combined the elements of these stories to create what eventually became Macbeth,however: • Several scenes are believed to have been written by Thomas Middleton (a playwright in Shakespeare’s time) • The play’s length (or lack thereof) also suggests that it had been abridged sometime prior to performance and publication.
