Carol Jackson introduces the historical context for the play.

Use the worksheet on Classroom to take some notes on the political background of Macbeth using this resource. Also check out this Chain of Being PowerPoint to see more.

Remember, remember, the fifth of November! These famous words allude to the Gunpowder treason during the reign of James I. In this video, Carla Della Gatta explains the Gunpowder Plot in 90 seconds. After watching her 90 second intro, read the article "Shakespeare and the Gunpowder Plot" for details on how this conspiracy inspired Macbeth.