Macbeth

by: William Shakespeare

Macbeth???
Macbeth is among the best-known plays of William shakespeare It is also his shortest tragedy It is believed to be written some time between 1603 and 1606 The play tells of the dangers of the lust for power and the betrayal of friends It is often referred as The Sottish Play The play seems to be aimed at celebrating King James ancestors and the Stuart accession to the throne in 1603 (James believed himself to be descended from Banquo, a character in Macbeth), they argue that the play is unlikely to have been composed earlier

than 1603; and suggest that the parade of eight kingswhich the witches show Macbeth in a vision in Act IVis a compliment to King James VI of Scotland. In the play, the Three Witches represent darkness, chaos, and conflict, while their role is as agents and witnesses. Their presence communicates treason and impending doom. During Shakespeare's day, witches were seen as worse than rebels, "the most notorious traitor and rebell that can be." They were not only political traitors, but spiritual traitors as well.

Characters
Duncan King of Scotland Malcolm son of Duncan - older brother of Donalbain - flee to England after Duncans death - the rightful heir to the throne - joined forces with Macduff to overthrow Macbeth from being king of Scotland - became king of Scotland Donalbain son of Duncan - escaped to Ireland - younger brother of Malcolm

 Macbeth Thane of Glamis - Thane of Cawdor - became king of Scotland - a brave lord - a near kinsman to Duncan - murdered Duncan - crushed a rebellion assisted by Norway - hungry for power and is willing to do anything to stay in power Macduff Thane of Fife - general of Duncan - Macbeth is jealous to Macduff - killed and beheaded Macbeth Banquo friend of Macbeth - was foretold that his sons would be kings

- was killed by Macbeths men Fleance son of Banquo - escaped from the banquet to survive from being murdered Lady Macbeth wife of Macbeth - wicked and ambitious - inspired Macbeth to kill Duncan - her conscience haunted her and she told the truth while sleep walking. - because of the weird behavior, she died 3 witches foretold Macbeths future - had beards, withered skin, and wildly attired - performed witchcraft in their cave - appearance tells that they do not belong to Earth.

 Hecate chief witch - Goddess of Witchcraft Seyton officer attending to Macbeth - remained loyal to him - was killed while attempting to close the door so that the servants wont leave Porter messenger Ross informs Macduff, while in England, that Macbeth ordered his men to kill Macduffs wife, son, servants and babes - betrayed Macbeth - a nobleman of Scotland Old Siward Earl of Northumberland - trained young Siward to be a fine knight - General of English forces Young Siward son of old Siward - killed by Macbeth in a battle

 Lennox Menteith Scottish Lords Angus Noblemens of Scotland Caithness Lady Macduff wife of Macduff Boy son of Macduff Gentle woman attending on Lady Macbeth Doctor tried to cure Lady Macbeth Others - servants

Setting: Desert- after a battle INITIAL INCIDENT: Macbeth, with Banquo, meets the three witches and greets him with his future.
TITLES FORETOLD BY THE WITCHES:

1.) Thane of Glamis current title 2.) Thane of Cawdor title attributed to him after the thane before him betrayed Duncan and Scotland - Macbeth is not the Thane of Cawdor yet 3.) King of Scotland Fortune of Banquo: his sons will be kings, but not him

Setting: Castle of Macbeth RISING ACTION: Macbeth sends a letter to Lady Macbeth telling her what happened and the titles attributed to him by the witches. They plan to kill Duncan.
CLIMAX: Duncan arrives in the castle for a feast. Going to bed early, Macbeth kills Duncan with a dagger and puts the blame to the groomsmen outside the chamber.

Setting: Duncans Castle DENOUMENT: 1.) Macbeth remembers the witches prophecies that Banquos sons will become kings, not his. 2.) Macbeth seeks the witches for more prophecies.
PROPHECIES OF THE WITCHES

1.) He was warned about the Thane of Fife (Macduff) 2.) No harm can come to him till Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane 3.) Be bold for no man born off a woman can kill him FALLING ACTION: Lady Macbeth is sick. She dies. Macbeth is jealous to Duncan because he was loved by his people. Because of Lady Macbeths death, Macbeth is now alone.

END: Birnam wood comes to Dunsinane. Macbeth, all alone in his castle shows no fear because of the prophecy. (No one man can kill him born off a woman) He kills Young Siward. Macduff kills and beheads Macbeth Malcolm becomes the new King of Scotland.
Moral: To much power can blind even the most noblest man in the kingdom