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Exploring Shakespearean Themes: Insights into Macbeth and Shakespeare's Era

Delve into Shakespeare's language, iambic pentameter, and cultural context to unravel Macbeth's themes and the playwright's intentions. Uncover the historical background and theatrical conventions that shaped Shakespeare's timeless works.

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Exploring Shakespearean Themes: Insights into Macbeth and Shakespeare's Era

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  1. Journal What have been your experiences reading Shakespeare, good or bad? What did you like or not like about it? Be specific. Agenda Journal Shakespeare notes Practice reading Shakespeare

  2. Macbeth Pre-Reading Shakespeare and His Times

  3. Iambic Pentameter • A rhythm pattern based on syllables: daDUM • Unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable • One daDUM is called an iam • If you put 5 iams on one line, • daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM daDUM, you have iambic pentameter! • All of Shakespeare’s plays are written this way

  4. Iambic Pentameter • “I think | that Bob | is full | of crap | today” • “CiEN | eGA | will BEAT | saHUA | ro NEXT” • Now you try. Write one now!

  5. Shakespearean Iambic Pentameter • “I’ll fight ‘til my flesh is hacked from my bones” is a line from Macbeth • Rearrange the words so they fall in iambic pentameter • “I’ll fight ‘til from my bones my flesh be hacked”

  6. Important Cultural Knowledge • Women had a lower social status • Great Chain of Being • There is a proper order of things, based on complexity, from the smallest grains of sand to heaven and God • Harmony vs. Disorder • Divine right and its disruption • You vs. Thou

  7. Macbeth Background • Historical King Macbeth existed, although without much of the murder and intrigue that characterizes the play • Shakespeare wrote Macbeth as a tribute to James I • Interested in witchcraft • Claimed to be descended from original Duncan and Banquo, both characters from the play that are treated quite favorably

  8. Shakespeare’s Goals • Shakespeare wanted to explore (from a safe distance) the events and attitudes of his own time. • Gunpowder Plot of 1605 • The threat to an anointed king • Shakespeare also altered his text to pay homage to his own king and country. • Shakespeare more interested in psychological truth than in historical fact.

  9. Write • From what we know so far, what themes would you expect to be present in Macbeth?

  10. Why Shakespeare? • Widely regarded as the greatest writer of English literature • Most quoted author, only second to the bible • Understanding Shakespeare’s language gives you a greater understanding of the English language in general.

  11. Biographical Facts about Shakespeare • 1563-1616 • Well-to-do, affluent • Mary (mother) – Daughter of a weathly landowner • John (father) – Glovemaker, local politician • Probably didn’t attend college

  12. Personal Facts • Teen father: married pregnant 26 year old Anne Hathaway when he was 18 • Left wife and children for London stage/acting career • Died at age 53

  13. The Plays • 38 plays are attributed to Shakespeare • 14 comedies • 10 histories • 10 tragedies • 4 romances

  14. Theater in London • Courtyard surrounded by three levels of galleries • Daytime/open air • No Artificial lighting • Relied on music, sound, and description in dialogue to convey time/weather

  15. Theatrical Conventions • No lighting • Women forbidden to act on stage (Wait, who plays Juliet?!) • Elaborate costumes • Few props • Minimal scenery

  16. The Audience • Wealthy got benches • Poor audience members stood in “the pit” (closest to the stage) • Women not allowed (they had to dress up as men to attend)

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