Historical Context Flashcards
1
Q
How was the divine right of Kings seen at the time of writing?
A
- Many contemporaries believed in the Divine Right of Kings, which was supported by the Great Chain of Being.
- This belief was challenged by the attempted regicide of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, which was seen as an affront to God’s authority.
- Shakespeare, whose patron was King James, also seemed to support these ideas in his play Macbeth.
2
Q
How was royal power erroded at the time?
A
- Throughout the sixteenth century, confidence in absolute royal power had been steadily eroding.
- This was due to conflicts ignited by Henry VIII’s Protestant Reformation and Dissolution, as well as the subsequent reversals of these policies under Mary I and Elizabeth I.
- Shakespeare’s references to equivocation (ambiguous language) in Macbeth reflect the contemporary atmosphere of confusion, anxiety, and paranoia.
3
Q
Explain the idea of ‘body politic’ in macbeth
A
- The idea of a body politic (organised group of citizens) could be used to turn against an unpopular ruler, recasting them as a disease threatening to corrupt the nation.
- This is clearly shown in the end of Macbeth where Malcome and the remaining Thanes kill and depose Macbeth
4
Q
How are supernatural forces portrayed in Macbeth and seen at the time
A
- Shakespeare’s treatment of supernatural forces in Macbeth is ambiguous, despite the strong contemporary beliefs in such powers.
- This is particularly interesting given King James’ personal interest in the topic, as seen in his involvement in witch trials and his scholarly treatise on Daemonologie.
- The Weird Sisters, who play a pivotal role in the play, are ultimately portrayed as deceitful and escape punishment.
5
Q
How did Shakespeare explore strict contemporary ideas about gender roles in Macbeth?
A
- The Macbeths are portrayed as inverted, with each taking on characteristics of the opposite gender or possessing exaggerated traits of their own gender.
- This challenges traditional expectations of men as ambitious, brave, and loyal, and women as caring and nurturing but also indecisive and prone to madness.
