Macbeth - Context Flashcards
Hamartia
a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero
William Shakespeare
(1564-1616) playwright of Macbeth
James I of England (James VI of Scotland)
the monarch of England during Macbeth’s first production who strongly believed in the divine right of kings and witchcraft
Gunpowder Plot
a group of Catholics led by Guy Fawkes sought to assassinate James I by using explosives to blow up the Houses of Parliament
5 November 1605
Bonfire Night, on which the failed Gunpowder Plot took place
Guy Fawkes
Catholic extremist who led the Gunpowder Plot and was subsequently executed by James I
Hecate
the Goddess of witchcraft
Globe Theatre
(1599-1613) Shakespeare’s main theatre built along the south bank of the River Thames in London
The divine right of kings
the political doctrine that states that God gives a monarch the power to rule, and that a monarch is second only to God Himself
Regicide
the murder of a monarch
Treason
the betrayal of one’s country and/or monarchy, punishable by execution
Daemonologie
Influential book written by James I outlining his beliefs in witchcraft and the need to execute those suspected of witchcraft (1597)
Robert Catesby
member of the Gunpowder Plot who was formerly regarded as one of James I’s dearest subjects - believed by some to be the model for the character of Macbeth
Witchcraft
the practice of magic by people (usually women) who were believed to be acting on behalf of the devil. Those suspected of performing this were persecuted by Christians.
Familiars
spirits given to witches by the Devil that often appear in the form of an animal, e.g. a black cat or a toad
Patriarchal society
a society in which men hold the greatest control in both the private and the political spheres
Great Chain of Being
a system in which species (including mankind) were positioned in a system of hierarchy; it was considered a sin against god for anybody to try and alter their station in the chain.
1606
the year in which Macbeth was first believed to be performed
The King’s Men
Shakespeare’s acting company whose patron was James I
Tragedy
a play that deals with tragic events and which has a catastrophic ending
Contemporary audience
an audience watching a play during the time period in which it was first performed
Modern audience
an audience watching a play during the current time period
Groundlings
Peasants - the lower class in Shakespeare’s time who paid the lowest price to stand in front of the stage and watch the play; likely to be illiterate
Graymalkin and Paddock
familiars called upon by the three weird sisters
Catharsis
a release of emotional tension
The Scottish ‘hard man’ / Warrior Culture
Scottish archetypal man who was expected to be a hard-skinned warrior
Norway
the country - led by the Scottish traitor Macdonwald - battling against Scotland at the start of the play
Thane
a man who held land granted by the king; a military nobleman
Tyrant
a cruel and oppressive ruler/dictator
Banquo
believed to be an ancestor of James I
Virtue
a quality believed by Elizabethans to be required of a monarch in order to ensure that the country is stable
Darkness
a recurring theme; believed to be when evil is committed
Macbeth
appointed King of Scotland in 1040
Witch
believed to be able to predict the future; bring on night in the daytime; cause fogs and tempests; kill animals; curse enemies with disease and illness; take demonic possession of another person; use a concocted brew to summons evil; and to cause nightmares
Patriotism
a sense of pride in one’s country and/or monarchy
