'Macbeth' - regional writers (2)
- Created by: Alasdair
- Created on: 05-06-18 15:01
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- 'Macbeth' - regional writers (2)
- Banquo
- 'True, worthy Banquo' (1.5.54)
- According to Holinshed Chronicles
- Banquho: 'At length therefore communicating his purposed intent with his trustie frendes, amongst whom Banquho was the chiefest, vpon confidence of theyr promised aude, Makbeth sleeth sleeth king Duncane.
- 'Duncane, he slewe the king at Enuernes, (or as some say at Botgosuane,)'
- Portrayed positively by Shakespeare due to Banquho being related to James I so insinuating any suggestion of regicide would be highly dangerous
- In real life, Banquo appears to be ally of Macbeth, not Duncan
- Scotland
- The blasted heath
- 1.1.1-6
- 1. Thunder and lightning. Enter three witches
- 2. First Witch: When shall we three meet again. In thunder, lightning or in rain?
- 3. Second Witch: When the hurlyburly's done, When the battle's lost and won.
- 4. Third Witch: That will be ere the set of sun.
- 5. First Witch Where the place?
- 1.1.74-77
- Macbeth: Say from whence You owe this strange intelligence? or why Upon this blasted heath you stop our way With such prophetic greeting? Speak, I charge you.
- 1.1.1-6
- Geography
- Scottishness in 'Macbeth' signalled through reference to titles and geographical spaces (e.g. 'kerns and gallowglasses', Fife, and Scone)
- Scottish people not stereotyped in same way as earlier Shakespearean Scots (e.g. Jamy in 'Henry V')
- (Henry V, 3.2.104-5) - Jamy: It sall be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath; and I sall quit you with gud leve, as I may pick occasion; that all I, marry.
- Colloquial spelling
- (Henry V, 3.2.104-5) - Jamy: It sall be vary gud, gud feith, gud captains bath; and I sall quit you with gud leve, as I may pick occasion; that all I, marry.
- Alas poor country
- 4.3.170-3
- Ross: Alas, poor country! Almost afraid to know itself. It cannot be call'd our mother; but our grave; where nothing, But who knows nothing, is once seen to smile;
- 2. Where sighs and groans and shrieks that rend the air Are made, not mark'd where violent sorrow seems A modern ecstasy; the dead man's kneel Is there scarce and ask'd for who; and good men's lives Expire before the flowers in their caps, Dying or ere they sicken.'
- 5.2.40-1
- Malcolm: I think our country sinks beneath the yoke; It weeps, it bleeds; and each new day a gash Is added to her wounds.
- 5.2.40-1
- Caithness: It is a 'sickly weal'.
- Could be interpreted as saying the country is wounded and dying
- Emphasis on death
- 4.3.170-3
- The blasted heath
- Gracious England?
- 4.3.189-91
- Malcolm:...gracious England hath Lent us good Siward and ten thousand men; An older and a better soldier none That Christendom gives out.
- 3.6.24-34
- Lord: The son of Duncan. From whom this tyrant holds the due of birth Lives in the English court,
- 2. and is received Of the most pious Edward with such grace That the malevolence of fortune nothing takes from his high respect: thither Macduff Is gone to pray the holy king upon his aid To wake Northumberland and warlike Siward
- Malcolm as historically half-English
- Prominence of Siward: 'The English power [...] led on by Malcolm,/His uncle Siward and good Macduff (5.2.1-2)
- 4.3.189-91
- Banquo
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