Macbeth: Year 9 Library Research Task
Section 1: Witches and witchcraft
What types of activities were people accused of being witches doing? How did people in
general feel about witches and witchcraft in Shakespeare’s time?
What was the punishment for those found practicing witchcraft?
How might audiences have viewed witches on stage in Shakespeare’s time?
Section 2: Kingship and betrayal
What do you understand by the term “Divine Right of Kings”?
How was the King (or Queen!) treated in Shakespeare’s time?
What is TREASON?
What were the consequences of treason?
Section 3: Executions and Punishment
Make a list of some forms of punishment in Shakespeare’s time.
Why do you think that punishment in Shakespeare’s time was so public?
Section 4: Crime, Violence and Murderers
What actions were regarded as criminal in Shakespeare’s time?
What can you find out about murderers and violence in Shakespeare’s time?
Why was death so easily accepted?
Section 5: The Globe and theatre-going
Look at the model of the Globe theatre. Make some notes on:
What type of people would sit in which section? Label the diagram.
Write down FIVE facts about the theatre and also theatre goers.
Section 6: Shakespeare’s Language
Pronouns used: what do these words mean and how would they be used?
Thou
Thee
Thy/thine
When was “YOU” used?
Find out what a Thane is.