Page 26 - Year 11

English Literature: ‘Macbeth’: 3 of 5

Context
King James I – Macbeth was written in 1606, early in the reign Witchcraft – in Shakespeare’s time there was no scientific
of James I, who succeeded to the English throne in 1603 after knowledge to explain natural disasters such as earthquakes,
being King of Scotland. The play pays homage to the king’s floods and droughts. One of the ways they accounted for the

Scottish lineage and hatred of witches. Additionally, the unexplained was the idea of witches. In Elizabethan England,
witches’ prophecy that Banquo will found a line of kings is a many women were tortured and executed because they were
nod to James’ family’s claim to have descended from the accused of witchcraft. King James I strongly believed in witches.
historical Banquo. The weird sisters would have seemed believable and frightening

to an audience in the 1600s.
Which quotes show Shakespeare’s respect for rightful heirs?
Which quote best presents the witches as supernatural beings?
The Divine Right of Kings – the idea that kings got their power Gender & Patriarchy – patriarchal societies are those in which
from God and not from their subject. James I was a believer in men dominate. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth switch between

this, and the idea meant that any treasonous activity was a having masculine and feminine characteristics.
crime against God. Only a century earlier, England had
suffered under the massive disorder of the Wars of the Roses,
so many supported the idea to avoid civil unrest. Find evidence to show this gender swap.

Which quotes show Shakespeare’s respect for rightful heirs?
Women were expected to obey all men, be faithful and Adam, Eve and the serpent – in the bible, Adam and Eve live
respectful, not be violent. They would have been regarded as a peacefully in the Garden of Eden until Eve is tempted by the
possession, first owned by the father, then given to and owned serpent and eats the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge.
by the husband. Women were considered the delicate, ‘fairer’ She convinces Adam to eat as well, and God curses them and

sex and they should be quiet and reserved, always respecting banishes them to Earth. The serpent is frequently alluded to in
the wishes and opinions of the males in their lives. Lady Macbeth.
Macbeth subverts these expectations in the play to Can you find any quotes to back this up?
manipulate Macbeth in getting what she wants.

Which quote best shows LM acting an abnormal way?