Macbeth in Context

Learning intention: To understand the contextual influences of Shakespeare's time.

Success Criteria:

To understand the influence of the King during the Jacobean Era.
To be able to connect the political and cultural situation in Shakespeare’s time with the plot of Macbeth.

Shakespearean Context - HA PowerPoint.pptx

Life in Jacobean times

Society

Jacobean society was highly hierarchical, with a clear distinction between the social classes. The nobility, consisting of the aristocracy and wealthy landowners, held the highest status, while the lower classes, including the working poor and vagrants, were at the bottom of the social ladder. Women were also restricted in their social and economic status, with very limited opportunities for education, employment and independence.

Family life

Family life in Jacobean England was male-dominated (patriarchal) and the head of the household had significant control over its members. The family was one of the most important elements in society and was expected to maintain order, stability and continuity. Marriage was seen as a means of securing social and economic advantage, and arranged marriages were common, especially among the wealthy. Families

Macbeth Background and historical context were patriarchal, meaning the men were in positions of power. Women were expected to be subservient and in roles where they were responsible for the home, while fathers held the ultimate authority in the family and were responsible for the behaviour and upbringing of their children (although children were mostly brought up by women). Male children were seen as especially important for succession and inheritance. The first-born son would receive the family title, lands, money and status. The themes of family, power and succession play a significant role in ‘Macbeth’, reflecting the realities of Jacobean family life.

King James I and the Divine Right of Kings

King James I believed strongly in the Divine Right of Kings, a belief system that saw the monarch as God’s representative on Earth and that he had been given divine sanction to rule. James I saw himself as the ultimate authority, though he often clashed with parliament on this, as he went against their advice and wishes, raising taxes and making unpopular political decisions. The Divine Right of Kings came to the defence of monarchical absolutism, bolstering James I’s assertion that he could not be held accountable for his actions by any earthly authority. Shakespeare’s play explores this idea: King Duncan and his son, Malcolm, and in turn Banquo’s descendants, are all rightful kings, put on the throne of Scotland by God. This would have pleased James I greatly; he was a direct descendant of Banquo’s and the play can be seen to legitimise his status as King of England too. As one of the King’s Men, Shakespeare would have added this element to foster good relations with his patron.

The Plague

The bubonic plague was a major public health crisis in Jacobean England, with outbreaks occurring during the 16th and 17th centuries. The disease was spread through the bites of fleas infected with the plague bacteria. These fleas were carried by rats. The plague caused widespread death and suffering, with mortality rates ranging from 30 to 60 per cent in affected communities. The outbreaks of the plague had far-reaching consequences for society, including economic disruption, population loss and changes in social and cultural attitudes. 8Background and historical context The fear of the plague and its association with death and mortality would have added to the sense of urgency and tragedy in ‘Macbeth’. Macbeth’s enemies have ‘blisters’ on their tongues when they speak his name; Scotland itself needs to be ‘purged’ of sickness. Shakespeare’s use of illness, disease, death and mortality are closely tied to the reality of life in Jacobean England, where the threat of death from the plague was a constant presence.

The supernatural

In Shakespeare’s time, there was widespread belief in the supernatural world. James I wholeheartedly believed in the existence of witches and even wrote a book on witchcraft called Daemonologie, which set about proving the existence of witches and explained what sorts of punishments they should undergo. The play also explored the links between witches, demons and those who made pacts with them.

James I passed laws condemning anyone found guilty of witchcraft to death. He called witchcraft ‘high treason against God’. King James I’s fear of witches triggered the deaths of thousands of innocent people at the time as his laws stirred up suspicion and paranoia through England and Europe. The punishment for witchcraft can be seen in ‘Macbeth’ through the titular character Macbeth and his wife Lady Macbeth.

Homework Week 3

Activity 1: Read the information above and view the videos to complete the questions in full sentence answers in your books.

What reasons might Shakespeare have had for writing Macbeth for King James?
What are your thoughts on witches and witchcraft in the context of Jacobean society?
Are there any similarities between King James’ wife and Lady Macbeth? If so, what are they?
Why do you think people in the 1600s believed in witches and accused others of witchcraft?
What does the belief that most witches were female suggest about women’s status during that time?
How might the Gunpowder Plot have affected King James on a personal level?
In what ways is the story of Macbeth similar to the story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot?
What elements did Shakespeare include in Macbeth to appeal specifically to King James?

Activity: Read the following articles. Choose one question for each article to complete. Use a paragraph response which provides evidence from the text (quotes) to support your answer.

Jacobean Gender Roles | Religion, Society, WomenThe gender roles during the Jacobean era were fairly similar to the Elizabethan ones. Men assumed a dominant position in society.

How Macbeth Saved Shakespeare in the Gunpowder Plot - Cassidy Cash

Article 1: "How Macbeth Saved Shakespeare in the Gunpowder Plot" by Cassidy Cash

Why did Shakespeare have a personal incentive to write Macbeth in a way that flattered King James I following the Gunpowder Plot?
How does Macbeth reflect themes of loyalty and treason in the context of the political climate after the Gunpowder Plot?

Article 2: "Jacobean Gender Roles" from ElizabethanEnglandLife.com

How did the societal structure of the Jacobean era enforce male dominance and female dependency throughout a woman's life?
In what ways were women's roles in Jacobean society limited, and how did these limitations manifest in their daily lives and opportunities?

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