Macbeth+Context

Please feel free to supplement your notes with mine (and Inaki's on the mythological allusions are also included). I have not edited them for accuracy so don't expect perfection!

Witchcraft

· During the 15th and 16th centuries witches and witchcraft started to be persecuted. · Teachnological advances (printing press) disseminated religious literature persecuting witches · In addition, people blamed the Black Death on witches. · They believed witches could: fly, predict the future, bring night into day, kill crops, sink ships etc · 1562: Parliament passed and act against spells and witchraft · 1604: law that witches can be executed (burned at stake) · 1603 – 1625 King James (advances in lit. and philosophy) · Tempest, Lear, Othello, Macbeth · King James attended Berwick witchcraft trials in 1590, where 70 or so witches were accused of trying to sink his ship. · He was obsessed with the idea that witchcraft could bring down his reign · 1597 published Demonology, a book on witchcraft · King James was the patron of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre company · Macbeth parallels: ship sinking (but in Macbeth the ship ‘cannot be lost’), James’s fear of witches · The witches in the play develop the theme of inevitable fate through their prescient predictions. They further the plot also, by providing the inciting incident. · The story of the shipwrecked ‘Tiger’ relates to real life and shows belief in witches’ ability to control the sea and the weather · Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth call on ‘spirits’ of darkness to assist them at the darker moments of the play, suggesting they are not entirely evil themselves but need the forces of evil to support them · The scene with Hecate shows they like to torture humans for fun · In 4.1 when Macbeth asks the witches for advice it shows he has entered their dark world; their predictions equivocate · They are absent from Act 5 – why?

King James · Ruled both England and Scotland · Born 1566 · 1584 became King of Scotland, 1603 King of England, Ireland and Scotland (on Elizabeth’s death) · 1605 Gunpowder plot: referred to by the porter, Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up parliament, was caught and arrested – probably plotted by English Catholics – anti-Catholic laws were passed following · James was the son of Mary Queen of Scots, a Catholic – he was brought up a Protestant by others, including many regents · Married Anne of Denmark (Catholic) and had three children, who were also brought up Catholic. This protestant/ catholic union was hoped to bring peace, but did not, as evidenced by gunpowder plot · He was the man who tried to combine England, Scotland and Ireland in one country · Got stranded in Norway by rough seas, when en route from Scotland to Sweden (as did his wife, on a separate occasion) · Supported the theatre and literary arts, was very well educated · Shakespeare’s Company “The King’s Men” · Shakespeare wrote Macbeth to support and flatter King James – evidence?: English soldiers throw out a Scottish tyrant, supporting bilateral ties between the two countries, which James wanted. Lennox was a real Lord, one of a group who brought up the orphaned James, with whom James had a close relationship – significant that Lennox is one of the first Lords who identifies Macbeth as a tyrant. James believed he was a direct descendant of Banquo, who is a noble character in the play and fathers a line of kings, asserting James’s right to the throne (what about these being witches’ predictions, however??)

2A Additions · The English throne was beset by taxation problems and wars with Ireland · The gunpowder plot was not the only plot against him – in 1603 the ‘Treason of Maine’ tried to overthrow James and replace him with Lady Arabella Stuart. Sir Walter Raleigh was also involved, and ended up being imprisoned for 13 years, which made James unpopular. A puritan uprising. · Also in 1603 some priests tried to kidnap James in the ‘Treason of the Priests’ – a Catholic uprising. They wanted him to repeal anti-Catholic legislation. · In 1604 all Catholic clergy were forced to leave England, and the Catholic religion went underground. After the gunpowder plot in 1605, the right to practise Catholicism in England was restored. · All this political intrigue is reflected in the world of the play, where betrayal and treason are also facts of life. · The pattern of equivocation was inspired by Henry Garnett, who asserted his right to equivocate when answering questions in court. See the Porter’s speech.

Critique or Flattery? · The change in Banquo’s character flatters James since he is, in the play (unlike in Holinshed) a strong, wise and loyal character · Macbeth’s ambition MAY mirror James’s ambition to unite England, Scotland and Wales – but was James’s power unchecked? · King James removed a lot of parliament’s power, which could be seen as tyrannical. · Open to debate!

Allusions

2A · Act 1 the allusion to Golgotha begins a pattern of biblical allusions – Macbeth’s battle ground is compared to the place where Christ was crucified, which foreshadows further bloodshed. · In some ways Lady Macbeth is an Eve figure – just as Eve is the one to eat the apple because she wants to be ‘like Gods’, Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan (eat the apple). You could use this allusion to argue that Macbeth is not (entirely) responsible for his actions. · The constant references to betrayal make Macbeth seem like Judas, who betrayed Jesus. Duncan is like Christ – his references in Act 1 to ‘growing’ Banquo remind us of Jeremiah 12:2: “Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root: they grow, and bring forth fruit.” (referring to Christ). · Later, when Christ says to Judas “That thou doest, do quickly” it reminds us of 1.7, strengthening the link between Macbeth and Judas. · The three witches may mirror the three fates, common to many mythologies: Greek (Moriaes), Roman (Parcae), Germanic (Norns). The fact there are three of them and they prophecy makes this clear – and reinforces the them of fate in the play. · Cain and Abel: Cain offers a sacrifice of a lamb and God favours Abel’s sacrifice, Cain in jealousy kills Abel. In Genesis it says “Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God hath he made man” (Genesis 9:6). This reminds us of ‘blood shall have blood’, and makes Macbeth seem more evil – he kills a brother figure. · The biblical allusions strengthen the theme of good and evil in the play.

· Biblical (shows a story with a moral) and mythological (show the power of prophesies) allusions · BIBLICAL: · First allusion is to Golgotha – foreshadows the killing of Duncan as an innocent; represents the death of forces of good · The washing of hands relates to Pilate, who publically washed his hands of the death of Jesus, meaning he was not responsible · ‘It will have blood” reminds us of the story of Cain and Abel – suggests that Macbeth killed a brother when he killed Banquo · After Cain killed Abel God marked him with an indelible spot, guilt that can never be washed off, just as Lady Macbeth sees blood marking her hands and can never wash it off · MYTHOLOGICAL · In classical mythology there are self-fulfilling and ? prophesies, the play has examples of both. · Reference to Gorgons in 2.3 – monsters associated with evil; reference to them just after Duncan’s murder emphasizes the depravity of Macbeth’s deed. · Hecate is the Greek goddess of magic, crossroads and the moon · Link to Oedipus Rex: he tried to evade prohecies, Macbeth tries to fulfill them, neither can escape their fate. · Relate to themes: ambition, …. · Here is a copy of Inaki’s notes:

Mythological Allusions in __Macbeth__

There are two types of prophecies in the play. The first one is the classical, mythological prophesy which is the one is made and nothing can be done to prevent the foretold events from happening. An example of this is the story of Achilles. The other kind is what we call the “self-fulfilling” prophesy. Because of a foretelling a person will undertake certain actions in order to make the prophesy come true or to prevent certain events from happening, but precisely in doing so, that person dooms his- or herself. Example: __Oedipus Rex__

In the opening of the play appear the Three Witches or Weird Sisters. = First Witch = When shall we three meet again In thunder, lightning, or in rain? = Second Witch = When the hurlyburly's done, When the battle's lost and won (1.1.1-4) Shakespeare uses them as role of Greek Gods in a tragedy. The ambiguity of the witches lines give room to the interpretations to be interpreted wrongly.

Another predictions in the tragedy, is the one concerning Banquo. After telling Macbeth that he will be king, the Weird Sisters turn to Banquo and say: = First Witch = Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. = Second Witch = Not so happy, yet much happier. = Third Witch = Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none (1.3.65-67) This is an example of a prophecy that nothing can be done about it. Macbeth attempts to prevent Banquo to become “father of kings” and ends up failing at the end.

In act 3 scene 1, when Macbeth is king, he contemplates on the fact that Banquo is a threat to him if indeed the second part of the prophesy were to come true. He says in his soliloquy: There is none but he Whose being I do fear: and, under him, My Genius is rebuked; as, it is said, Mark Antony's was by Caesar. He chid the sisters When first they put the name of king upon me, And bade them speak to him: then prophet-like They hail'd him father to a line of kings: Upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, And put a barren sceptre in my grip. (3.1.53-61)

To stop the prediction from becoming true, Macbeth decides to have Banquo murdered. However, even when he is dead, Banquo is still the “father of kings”: his son escapes the assassins and we learn in scene 4.1 that his sons will rule Scotland. This is a classical theme; in many myths characters try to avoid their fate, despite any foretellings, but they cannot succeed, because Fate has decided the course of their lives. This theme can be found in myths such as that of Achilles. His mother Thetis was foretold that the judgement of Paris would cause the Trojan war and that this war would be Achilles’ death. She tried to prevent this from happening by asking Poseidon to send a storm to sink the Trojan fleet on its way to Sparta. However, Poseidon answered her that she could not intervene in what Fate has ordained. So, despite his mother’s efforts, Achilles died in the Trojan war. Relating it back to //Macbeth,// despite his effort of getting rid for completely of Banquo’s line, it is impossible to do so.

Macduff has just discovered that King Duncan has been murdered and he remarks, “Approach the chamber, and destroy your sight / With a new Gorgon” (2.3.72-73). To Macduff the murder of the King is not just a crime, but it is as bad as the three Gorgons from classical mythology. Of course, the Gorgons – of whom Medusa was the most famous - are only associated with evil. In art they are depicted as monsters with hideous appearances and this, together with their terrifying abilities, made them the perfect evil enemies for a host of Greek heroes. The most famous aspect of the three Gorgons – and especially of Medusa – is that one turns to stone if one looks at them. This is probably the most important connecting factor between the myth and the reference in the tragedy. The effect of using this particular reference is that the depravity of Macbeth’s deed is made clearer to Shakespeare’s audience. The murder is not simply heinous, but as horrible as a fourth gorgon - it is monstrous enough to petrify someone.

The most significant mythological reference that has a different effect when seen in the light of biblical allusions, is the reference to Hecate. In Greek mythology she is the goddess of magic, crossroads and the moon. Often she is described and depicted as having three heads. She is, however, not the evil hag that modern literature, and in this case also Shakespeare’s //Macbeth//, suggests

The most important example of a “self-fulfilling” prophesy is of course the first prediction in scene 3 of the first act. The Weird Sisters tell Macbeth, who is returning from battle with Banquo: First Witch All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, thane of Glamis! Second Witch All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! Third Witch All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! (1.3.47-49)

When he hears the second part of the prophesy, he immediately starts to think about how he can become king. Is it not so that the Three Witches trick Macbeth into his deeds? The myth of Oedipus is one of the most famous examples in the classical tradition in which this same concept can be found. Oedipus, destined to become kill of Thebes my killing his father and marrying his mother, tries to prevent this from happening. We should wonder whether this is truly the fulfilling of a prophesy or a ploy of the gods. Like Oedipus, Macbeth could be seen as a victim of the gods: the gods themselves have made plans for him and nothing can be done about this.

History -Please see Ragna’s group’s handout for details on similarities and differences between the play’s inspiration and reality 2A: · 11th century Scotland was chaotic – divided into four main territories, between which there were lots of fights and power struggles · This chaos continued until 1018, the Battle of Carham. Malcom I won, and fathered a line of rulers of which the fourth one was Duncan, who united the four areas of Scotland into one country. · Kings were chosen by TANISTRY: a small group of kinsmen elect the new King from potential successors – it was not hereditary · Link to the play: Duncan broke the tenets of tansitry by choosing his own son to be King – SP does not dwell on this since it would make Macbeth’s murder more justified / less evil. · Duncan 1034 – 40, a terrible ruler (unlike the play’s Duncan) · The real Macbeth WAS Duncan’s cousin and had an authentic claim to the throne; he killed Duncan near Forres in 1040 and became King. IF Banquo existed, he helped Macbeth with the killing. · Macbeth ruled for 17 years and was a popular King. · Malcolm (the third or fourth?), the son of Duncan, united with an English earl to defeat Macbeth in battle.

· The main source of the play was Holinshed’s chronicles · LOTS of the play is inspired/ plagiarized from Holinshed – eg murdering rivals for the crown, being tormented by guilt, Macbeth’s wife burning with ambition to be queen. The murder of Banquo is almost the same. Also some phrases were lifted, eg ‘the weird sisters’ · MAJOR CHANGES: Duncan is a respectable King, rather than a sick and weak one as in real life. Macbeth kills Duncan himself; the real Macbeth hired killers. No mention in Holinshead of some witch scenes. Banquo in real life was an accomplice; in the play he is innocent and in fact ends up getting murdered. Also very little on Lady Macbeth in Holinshed. · PLAGIARIST? Lance thinks not, since the events are historical, he invented several scenes including witches and Banquo’s ghost – Abie might disagree since she found the original document and SP ‘borrowed’ phrases such as ‘the weird sisters’ and ‘from his mother’s womb untimely ripped’. · Why is Banquo so different?
 * Sources**

1. For dramatic reasons – juxtaposition develops Macbeth’s character 2. For Plot – where is Act 3 if Banquo is Macbeth’s ally? 3. For King James – Banquo was an ancestor, so a flattering portrait flatters him.