Macbeth
-An Introduction-
Macbeth: An Introduction
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Macbeth is among the best-known of
William Shakespeare’s plays.
Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy.
Believed to have been written between 1603
and 1606 for King James himself.
Believed that it was originally written with
a limited amount of witchcraft but then
asked to add more by the king.
Macbeth: An Introduction
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It is frequently performed at both amateur
and professional levels, and has been
adapted for opera, film, books, stage and
screen.
Often regarded as archetypal, the play tells
of the dangers of the lust for power and the
betrayal of friends.
The Real Macbeth
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king of Scotland
(1040–57).
He succeeded his
father as governor of
the province of Moray
c.1031
was a military
commander for
Duncan I.
(Right: portrait of Macbeth)
The Real Macbeth
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In 1040, Macbeth killed Duncan in
battle and seized the throne.
Possibly of royal descent himself,
he acquired a direct claim to the
throne through his wife, Gruoch;
she was a granddaughter of
Kenneth III, who had been
overthrown by Duncan's ancestor
Malcolm II.
(Right: portrait of Duncan I)
“The Scottish Play”
There are many superstitions centred on the
belief that the play is somehow “cursed”.
“The Scottish Play”
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Explanation #1
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.
“The Scottish Play”
Explanation #2
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Struggling theatres or companies would often put
on this popular 'blockbuster' in an effort to save
their flagging fortunes.
However, it is a tall order for any single
production to reverse a long-running trend of poor
business.
Therefore, the last play performed before a theatre
shut down was often Macbeth, and thus the
growth of the idea that it was an 'unlucky' play.
“The Scottish Play”
Explanation #3
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Theatre companies may have used Macbeth as a back-up play
if they were to lose an actor and were not able to perform the
production originally planned for the performance.
Macbeth requires fewer actors (when doubling of characters
for actors occurs) and has the least amount of text for the
actors to memorize.
Macbeth may have been the play kept in theatre companies'
back pockets, just in case some bad luck were to occur prior
to any planning of a performance.
“The Scottish Play”:
A Chronology of Misfortunes
http://www.austinchronicle.com/arts/2000-1013/78882/
“The Scottish Play”
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Several methods exist to dispel the curse, depending
on the actor.
One is to immediately leave the building the stage is
in with the person who uttered the name, walk
around it three times, spit over their left shoulders,
say an obscenity then wait to be invited back into the
building.
Another popular "ritual" is to leave the room, knock
three times, be invited in, and then quote a line from
Hamlet.
Yet another is to recite one of Shylock's monologues
from The Merchant of Venice.
“The Scottish Play”
Superstition of Characters’ Names
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MacBee
Macker’s
Mr. and Mrs. M.
The Scottish King
MacWhat’s-his-face
Act 1: The Witches
AKA the Weird
Sisters
Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches
(Act I, scene iii) by Johann Heinrich
Fussli
Portrayal in the 2006 film version
of Macbeth
Painting by William
Rimmer depicting the
witches’ conjuration of
an apparition
(Act IV, scene i)
Act 1: The Witches
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Their character is
modeled after Norse
mythology- the Norns
(three Fates)
the name Urðr (Wyrd,
Weird) means "fate" or
simply "future",
The norns- by Arthur Rackham
Act 1: Summary
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Three Weird Sisters setting up the entire theme of the play: Fair is foul and foul is fair.
A war between Scotland and Norway.
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King Duncan decides he will reward Macbeth with the title of Thane of Cawdor in thanks.
Weird Sisters give prophecy
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Macbeth: Thane of Cawdor and King
Banquo: Children will be kings
Macbeth soon learns of his new title, fulfilling the first part of the prophesy, and sends word
to his wife. King Duncan plans on staying the night at Macbeth's home.
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Scotland is victorious due to the valiant efforts of Macbeth. The traitorous Thane of Cawdor is captured and
executed.
Ruthless Ambition Ignites!!!
Lady Macbeth receives the news and immediately starts doing some weird stuff with the
spirit world. This results in her plot to kill King Duncan so her husband will be king.
Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into following her plans, and he reluctantly agrees to
murder Duncan.
By the end of Act I, Macbeth is determined to follow through with the plan.
Act 2: Summary
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Macbeth again has some doubts (and visions), but he soon talks himself into following
through with the murder.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU73kj5Sw9M
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pusU90ov8pQ
Macbeth freaks out so Lady Macbeth finishes the rest of the plan by wiping blood on the
drunk guards.
The next morning, Macduff and Lennox arrive at Macbeth's, and Macduff discovers the
dead body of King Duncan.
All are shocked and Macbeth plays his role to perfection.
The guards are immediately suspect and Macbeth kills them "in a fit of sorrow and rage."
Malcolm and Donalbain, the King's sons, flee the castle because they are afraid that they
will be blamed for the murder of their father.
Act 3: Summary
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Banquo begins to suspect Macbeth for the murder of King Duncan and Macbeth in turn feels
that Banquo will reveal that it was he that killed the King.
Therefore, Macbeth sends out some thugs to murder Banquo and his son, Fleance. Banquo is
murdered, but Fleance escapes.
Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lennox, Ross, and other lords attend a banquet.
The ghost of Banquo presents itself to Macbeth. Macbeth begins to rant and rave, making
the other guests uneasy.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaIfPfZ7C5s
Lady Macbeth tries to cover up the situation by saying Macbeth is prone to fits.
By the end of this Act, we learn that Macduff has not attended the banquet because he has
gone to England, looking for aid because he is suspicious of Macbeth.
Act 4: Summary
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Macbeth confronts the three Weird Sisters and they show him more visions.
The 3rd apparition leads Macbeth to believe that he cannot be killed by any man, giving him
a false sense of security even though the first 2 apparitions were quite negative.
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1st apparition: Armed head Beware MacDuff
2nd apparition: Bloody Child  None born of a woman shall harm you
3rd apparition: Crowned child with branch  No harm shall come until Birnam Wood moves
4th apparition: Mirror  8 kings of Banquo
He then plans to send murderers to the castle of Macduff (who is in England ) in order to kill
his family.
Macduff is in England begging Malcolm to return to Scotland and seize the throne from
Macbeth who has become a tyrant.
Malcolm tests Macduff's loyalty to Scotland and himself, and after being satisfied with
Macduff's responses, he agrees to wage war against Macbeth.
Act 5: Summary
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Lady Macbeth has finally gone mad with guilt over the murders. The once strong and
ruthless woman is now a scared child. Doctors are unable to help her.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRxWIS2i4Ps (Scene 1)
Some of the Scottish lords are discussing Macbeth's state of mind and have come to the
conclusion that they will help Malcolm and Macduff fight against Macbeth.
Macbeth isn't worried at all because the prophecy, he believes, insures that he cannot be
killed by any man born of woman.
Macbeth soon confronts Macduff and learns that Macduff was ripped from his mother's side
and not born naturally (cesarean).
Thus, Macbeth is killed by Macduff, just as Macbeth had conquered the other Thane of
Cawdor. Malcolm then becomes the rightful King of Scotland
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTqszSJsnlo (Scene 8)