King James Macbeth Analysis
King James VI, king of Scotland, ascended to the throne of England after the death of Queen Elizabeth I. This act united Scotland and England under one rule. While King James was alive, He was interested in the world of witchcraft and wrote a book about the subject called Daemonologie. In Macbeth Shakespeare uses Macbeth and his misunderstanding of the fates as a representation of King James and his misconception of witches and their true nature. Shakespeare’s Macbeth, written as praise and honor of King James or so most people thought. In all reality, Shakespeare used his play to show people the injustice of innocent women being slaughtered because of the King’s obsession over witches. The character Macbeth is a representation of the
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King James’ Daemonlogie caused most people in the 16th century to have a skewed perception of witches. Many people misunderstand whether the weird sisters in Macbeth are witches or the fates. Weird sisters refer themselves in the text as witches. In Act I Scene III, the witches are conversing about their encounter with the sailor’s wife, she says, “'Aroint thee, witch” (104). Also when casting a spell, in Act IV Scene I. the wicked sisters put in their cauldron a “witches mummy” (1713). The wicked sisters are easily identified as witches, revealing their true nature. Those that deal with witchcraft have given up their claim to either masculinity or femininity. True witches use the duel gender roles to take the fertility of their victims, but only to those who fall for the tricks. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare shows people the nature of true evil and wants the people, especially King James, to understand and recognize an actual witch in hopes of stopping the brutal murders of guiltless women. Shakespeare uses his character, Macbeth, to show people that they must always be careful about the things they allow themselves to belief. The tyrannical rule of King James is exemplified throughout the play as well as the death of blameless women. Shakespeare helps the people to understand what true witchcraft and evil is. The job belongs to each person on their own to discern between reality and what the world wants them to
King James’ Daemonlogie caused most people in the 16th century to have a skewed perception of witches. Many people misunderstand whether the weird sisters in Macbeth are witches or the fates. Weird sisters refer themselves in the text as witches. In Act I Scene III, the witches are conversing about their encounter with the sailor’s wife, she says, “'Aroint thee, witch” (104). Also when casting a spell, in Act IV Scene I. the wicked sisters put in their cauldron a “witches mummy” (1713). The wicked sisters are easily identified as witches, revealing their true nature. Those that deal with witchcraft have given up their claim to either masculinity or femininity. True witches use the duel gender roles to take the fertility of their victims, but only to those who fall for the tricks. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare shows people the nature of true evil and wants the people, especially King James, to understand and recognize an actual witch in hopes of stopping the brutal murders of guiltless women. Shakespeare uses his character, Macbeth, to show people that they must always be careful about the things they allow themselves to belief. The tyrannical rule of King James is exemplified throughout the play as well as the death of blameless women. Shakespeare helps the people to understand what true witchcraft and evil is. The job belongs to each person on their own to discern between reality and what the world wants them to