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Explore William Shakespeare's world, from Globe Theatre history to Macbeth's tale of ambition. Discover the curse of Macbeth and the concept of tragic heroes.
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William Shakespeare's World To be, or not to be, that is the question... This above all, to thine own self be true...
William The Man That Would Be Shakespeare • Born April 23rd, 1564 • Started out performing with “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men” • Gave him a chance to write a play • Henry IV, Pt. 1- It stunk but they gave him another shot
The Globe • Many playwrights with nowhere to “play” • Barn turned into theatre (Yeah!) • Puritans burn it down (Evil theatre! Boo!) • Globe built! (Yeah!) • Globe burns (sniff, darn cannon!) • Globe rebuilt! (Yeah!) • Globe burns (Dang that Fire of London!) Reconstructed in the 1990’s
Aristocrats • The Queen/King • The Groundlings!
When in a play... • Only men were permitted to perform • Boys or effeminate men were used to play the women • Costumes were often the company’s most valuable asset • Costumes were made by the company, bought in London, or donated by courtiers
The Cost of a Show • 1 shilling to stand • 2 shillings to sit in the balcony • 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income • Broadway Today: • $85 Orchestra • $60 Balcony • 10% of a teacher’s weekly salary
The tragedy of Macbeth • Set in Scotland • Written for King James I (formerly of Scotland, now England) • Queen of Denmark (James’s sister) was visiting • Shakespeare researched The Chronicles - Banquo is an ancestor of King James I
King Duncan of Scotland • Murdered by cousin Macbeth • Honest and good • Malcolm & Donalbain • Sons of the King • Malcolm is the eldest son • Macbeth • Duncan’s most courageous general • Ambition to become king corrupts him causing him to murder Duncan The Characters
LennoxOne of Duncan’s nobles, functions as observer. Grows sarcastic and fearful for the fate of Scotland. • RossCousin of Macbeth acts as a messenger. • Old Siward Earl of Northumberland; ally of Malcom and Macduff • Young Siward Slain by Macbeth in combat. • Seyton Macbeth’s Lieutenant
Hecate Queen of the witches. Presides over all supernatural happenings. • The Three Witches Supernatural agents of fate who prophesize that Macbeth will become King of Scotland; and fall. • Porter Keeper of Macbeth’s castle who drunkenly imagines that he the keeper of Hell’s Gate. • Menteith, Angus, Caitness Noblemen of Duncan
Banquo • General and Macbeth’s best friend • Suspects Macbeth in Duncan’s murder • An actual ancestor of King James I • Lady Macbeth • As ambitious as her husband • A dark force behind his evil deeds • Macduff • Scottish general, suspects Macbeth of murdering the king • Macbeth has his family murdered • Swears vengeance
The Scottish Play • It is believed to be bad luck to even squeak the word ‘Macbeth’ in a theatre • Legend has it you will lose all your friends involved in the production--horribly • MORE ON THAT LATER...
Def. “Man of high standard who falls from that high because of a flaw that has affected many” - Aristotle • Macbeth is one of the most famous examples of the tragic hero. However, how could John Proctor also be one?
So what really happens? • Good guy goes bad • Guy wants power • Married to a pushy control freak • She wants power • Kills people- LOTS of people • Gets power • Gets paranoid (a.k.a. goes crazy) • Ticks off a lot of people • Want more power! Kill! Kill! • Gets what’s coming to him in the end
Best Line! “Life’s but a walking shadow; a poor player, That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And is heard of no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.” - Act V; s.5