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Macbeth

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Macbeth William Shakespeare Ms. Mathews English 10 Honors Shakespeare Mini-Bio Born in Stratford-upon-Avon April 23, 1564 April 23, 1616 Called The Bard of ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

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Title: Macbeth


1
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Ms. Mathews English 10 Honors
2
Shakespeare Mini-Bio
  • Born in Stratford-upon-Avon
  • April 23, 1564 April 23, 1616
  • Called The Bard of Avon
  • An actor, poet, and playwright
  • Part-owner of the acting company
    The Lord Chamberlains Men
  • Married to Anne Hathaway had three children

3
Shakespeares Plays
  • Shakespeares plays are among the most famous
    works in the English language and all of Western
    Literature
  • He wrote three types of plays
  • Comedies
  • Tragedies
  • Histories
  • The First Folio was printed in 1623 and contained
    36 plays

4
Setting of Macbeth
  • Set in Scotland around the year 1040
  • The action of the play alternates between the
    battlefield and various castles
  • Macbeths castle, Inverness, was located on the
    River Ness, which flows into the famous Loch Ness

5
Macbeth Background
  • Macbeth was written for King James I
  • James Stuart was already King James VI of
    Scotland when Queen Elizabeth's death made him
    James I of England as well
  • In the late 1500's, Scotland experienced a witch
    craze
  • Many people were convicted of witchcraft and
    executed without physical evidence

6
  • James I bought into the witch hysteria, so
    Shakespeare incorporated the three witches (the
    Wyrd Sisters) into Macbeth for the king's
    enjoyment
  • The archaic (old fashioned) meaning of the word
    weird is destiny or fate. The witches,
    therefore, echo the three fates of Greek
    mythology.
  • James I believed that as part of the Stuart line,
    he was descended from Banquo, although no
    historical evidence exists to support this claim

7
The Real Macbeth
  • Macbeth really did exist, though Shakespeare only
    loosely based his character and story on the real
    man.
  • The real Macbeth was king of Scotland from 1040
    to 1057 and went to drastic ends to gain the
    throne and remain in power.
  • Macbeth is a Christian name meaning son of
    life (as opposed to the paternal surname
    MacBeth).

8
  • The real Lady Macbeth was named Gruoch. She was
    originally married to another king and had a son
    with him, though the child is only indirectly
    referenced in the play and the first husband is
    not mentioned at all.
  • It is considered bad luck to say the name of the
    play in a theater where it is being performed
    instead, it is commonly referred to only as The
    Scottish Play.

9
Important Terms Defined
  • Motifa repeating symbol that furthers an
    important idea or theme
  • Paradoxa statement that seems to be a
    contradiction but actually reveals truth
  • Thanea Scottish title of nobility equivalent to
    Earl
  • Primogeniturethe system of passing on property,
    titles, or wealth to the eldest male heir

10
Themes of Macbeth
  • Ambition
  • Appearance v. Reality
  • Atmosphere
  • Disorder
  • Trust and Betrayal
  • Fear and Guilt
  • Greed and Power
  • Excuses
  • Visions
  • Desperation
  • Good and Evil
  • The Supernatural

11
9 Motifs in Macbeth
  1. Blood 7. Birds
  2. Natural Order 8. Sleep
  3. Darkness 9. Clothing
  4. Hands
  5. Masculinity
  6. Supernatural Forces

12
Main Characters
  • MacbethThane of Glamis, military general
  • Lady MacbethMacbeths wife
  • BanquoScottish thane and general
  • FleanceBanquos son
  • DuncanKing of Scotland
  • MalcolmDuncans elder son
  • DonalbainDuncans younger son
  • MacduffThane of Fife, a nobleman of Scotland

13
As you read
  • Look for and record examples of motifs and themes
  • Study paradoxical statements to discern hidden
    truths
  • Monitor character changes consider the impetus
    and results of each change
  • Read and re-read. Check your understanding.
  • Ask questions and seek clarification.
  • Form your own opinions and be able to support
    them.
  • Annotate and/or take copious, detailed notes!

14
Analysis Exercise
  • Sometimes students are hesitant to raise their
    hands in class because they think their opinions
    are wrong. The thing is, an opinion cannot be
    wrong, and most of literary analysis is simply a
    matter of creating informed opinions based on the
    text.
  • Lets try an exercise to illustration the skills
    used in literary analysis . . .

15
Which word does not belong?
  • Horse
  • Clock
  • Anvil
  • Nose

Write your answer in your notes, along with an
explanation
16
  • There was no correct answer to the previous
    question however, notice how the answer changes
    when a detail-based question is asked . . . .

17
Which word does not contain an O?
  • Horse
  • Clock
  • Anvil
  • Nose

Now there is only one correct answer
18
Why did we do that?
  • The exercise demonstrated the difference between
    analyzing a work of literature based on your own
    ideas or opinions and answering specific,
    detail-based questions.
  • In class discussions, we will do mostly the first
    type of analysis on tests and quizzes, you will
    also be expected to answer the second type of
    questions. Be prepared for both!
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