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The Scottish Play

The Scottish Play. Important Characters. Duncan: King of Scotland Macbeth: a general—thane (noblemen)—king Banquo : a general later killed by Macbeth Macduff : a nobleman-out to get Macbeth later in the play Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife

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The Scottish Play

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  1. The Scottish Play

  2. Important Characters • Duncan: King of Scotland • Macbeth: a general—thane (noblemen)—king • Banquo: a general later killed by Macbeth • Macduff: a nobleman-out to get Macbeth later in the play • Malcolm: Duncan’s eldest son • Lady Macbeth: Macbeth’s wife • 3 Witches: The “weird sisters”

  3. Macbeth • Written between 1603 and 1607 • Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy • Often referred to as “The Scottish Play”

  4. Tragedy with some history… • Macbeth was a Scottish King in 1040 • Ruled for 17 years • Killed King Duncan to become King • Macbeth’s son took the throne but was killed in 1058 • Killing royalty back then…

  5. Written for King James? • James renamed Shakespeare's group to The King’s Men • James was from Scotland • Someone tried to kill King James • King James wrote a book about witchcraft

  6. The Curse of Macbeth It has been said never to utter the word, “Macbeth” in a theater. The following disasters have occurred, thus rendering the play cursed: • In the first performance of Macbeth, Shakespeare himself had to play Lady Macbeth as the young actor with her part became sick and died. • In 1672, the actor playing Macbeth substituted a blunt dagger with a real one, thus killing Duncan live on stage • In 1721, hecklers annoyed the actors so much that a brawl broke out and the army had to break up the fight • In 1849, 31 people were trampled to death in a riot that broke out in the theater

  7. The Curse of Macbeth cont. • The worst tragedy was in 1937,when the following mishaps occurred: • A 25 lb. stage weight nearly crashed on Laurence Olivier • Olivier’s sword broke and flew into the stage, hitting an audience member and causing him to have a heart attack • the director and Lady Macduff were involved in a car accident on the way to the theater • The theater owner also died of a heart attack during dress rehearsal

  8. Themes/Symbols

  9. Power = Corruption • When we first meet Macbeth, he does not appear to be a villain • As titles and land are heaped on him, his lust for power grows • With the help of his wife, they commit evil deeds to get and secure the crown

  10. Masculinity = Cruelty • Lady Macbeth, one of literature’s most evil females, asks for her feminine features to be replaced with masculine ones • She talks about willingly killing infants in order to become queen

  11. Blood • This is one of Shakespeare’s bloodiest plays, huge body count! • As the play progresses, blood represents guilt in Lady Macbeth and Macbeth

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