Macbeth - Context

• Shakespeare wrote during the reigns of two different monarchies: Queen Elizabeth and King James which often reflected the political climate of the time.

• The plays he wrote during the reign of Queen Elizabeth such as A Midsummer Night's Dream reflect the optimistic Elizabethan climate.

• During the Jacobean reign, Shakespeare's plays' were more dark creating a cynical tone

• Queen Elizabeth died 1603

• No heir - there was a distant cousin James Stuart.

• He was the son of Mary Queen of Scots, who had been imprisoned when he was a baby. She was later executed by Queen Elizabeth

• James Stuart became King - but many different groups strongly spposed his reign 

• He wasn't directly related to Queen Elizabeth - other relatives felt they had a stronger claim to the throne. James feared that would form factions against him.

• He was a protestant, but his mother was a strong catholic. The catholics believed that he might support them but when he didn't they plotted against him.

• For example the Gunpowder plot of 1605. Upon discovery those involved were tortured until they confessed and brutally publically executed.

'The Great Chain of Being'

• God designed an ordered system where every person and creature had an alloted place
• It was considered an insult to God if you tried and change the position that God gave you. Or aspired to be richer or more powerful that God intended you to be.
• If you respected your position on Earth, you would be rewared in heaven.

'The Devine Right of Kings'

• The right to the throne was given by God
• It was a sin to aspire to be a king because the monarch was chosen by God

Relationship to the King:

• During in the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare's acting company was called the 'Chamberlain's Men' they often performed for the court.
• When King James claimed the throne the company became 'King's Men' as a tribute to him. The patronage of the King and court was obviously valuable to Shakespeare.
• In Macbeth Shakespeare seeks to flatter and please the King. For example, Macbeth, the character who takes the place of a lawful King loses everything. Macbeth and his wife are hated and demonised by all his subjects.

Theme: What qualities make the ideal King?

• Shakespeare references the James had written a book called Baskilion Doron, which looks at the theme of kingship.
• In the book, James describes the ideal king as one who does his duty to God and to his country and who is also a man of spotless personal integrity.
• In Macbeth, Malcolm represents the template of the ideal king.

Social beliefs about witches:

• Shakespeare draws on the 1606 popular beliefs about witches and the supernatural.
• Witches were associated with the death and darkness. Many christians believed them to be thr agents of satan, commiting evil deeds at night.
• They were believed to gather near graves to plot, scheme and make poisons.
• in 1606 the devil was feared - a real creature that spent time trying to tempt men and women away from their virtuous lives. (Banquo's warning to Macbeth)
• A 17th century audience believed witches and the power of the supernatural and the witch scenes would have been taken seriously.

Witchcraft in a political context:

• King James had written a book about the supernatural called Demonology, published in 1597
• During his reign as King of Scotland, James was Known to have been involved in witch trials at North Berwick.
• Women were regularly burnt as witches and Shakespeare presents his witches powerful and evil.
• In 1604 witchcraft became a capital offence - punished by drowning or hanging.

• Witches were supposed to be capable of doing all of the things that the three sisters are said to perform in Macbeth
• It was believed that they could see they could see into the future; that they could create storms, hail, thunder and lightning; that they were able to sink ships; dry up springs; stop the sun and change night into day and day into night
• They could also cause the death of the enemies and could make themselves invisible
• In order to work their charms they would open graves and steal parts of the bodies to make potions
• Witches could raise the dead
• For a King like Macbeth to visit and have dealings with witches would have seemed both a crime and a sin.