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Macbeth

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Macbeth
How does the character of Macbeth change throughout the play?

1. When and where is ‘Macbeth’ set and how is this shown in the play? Macbeth is set in the 11th century in Scotland. Macbeth’s castle is in Forres. The stage directions tell you this. The beginning of his name ‘Mac’ is from Scottish heritage and three of the characters from Macbeth have ‘Mac’ in their name (Macbeth, Macduff and McDonald and their wives). Shakespeare got his ides for Macbeth from ‘Hollinshed Chronicals’ (a story book of the time).

2. Who was the new king at the time the play was written and how does this relate to the play? King James was on the throne at time Macbeth was written (which was early 1600s). King James was the patron of Shakespeare’s acting company ‘ The King’s Men’ (which was called ‘The Queen’s Men’ whilst Queen Elizabeth the First was on the throne). Shakespeare knew that King James was interested in witches (he was very superstitious) and that he had a Scottish heritage (as he was originally James VI of Scotland and the son of Mary Queen of Scots). Supposedly he was a descendant of Banquo and Fleance. So Shakespeare gave witches a strong role in Macbeth, made Banquo and Fleance more innocent people, because in the book (Hollinshed) Banquo assisted Macbeth in the murder of King Duncan.

3. How does the audiences sympathies change for Macbeth throughout the play and why? At first the audience likes Macbeth because he’s a good and brave fighter, defending his country. The sergeant gives him the title ‘Brave Macbeth – for he deserves that name’. Then they feel confused and shocked when he plans killing the King. Macbeth, a noble soldier, planning on killing the highest ranking man in the country (Elizabethans believed a King was appointed by God) for his own benefit. Just so that he can become King. Towards the end they aren’t feeling much sympathy at all from Macbeth anymore because he’s killed everybody – his friends as well as his
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