Pros And Cons Of Macbeth
Lille Schanck
Mrs. Detwiler
Honors English I
23 December 2016
The Do’s and Don’ts of Macbeth
Macbeth, black magic, and witches. What do these 3 things have in common? The answer is: a recipe for disaster. The play Macbeth, written by Shakespeare in 1606, has a tendency to make people feel uneasy. From untimely deaths to spooky incantations, Macbeth has a reputation for mayhem, and continues sometimes still to this day.
Now with anything, the curse had to start somewhere and there are many theories and legends about why there seems to be a curse on the play Macbeth. One legend says that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for King James I to impress him. At the time, King James supported Shakespeare’s endeavors and paid for them, so to thank him …show more content…
Some of them even date back to Shakespearean times! Any person, even if they don’t have experience in theater probably know it’s bad to utter the words “good luck.” Instead, people say the phrase “break a leg.” Historians believe it originated in Shakespearean times when stages were supported by thin legs. When a great show caused a ruckus, one of the legs of the stage would break” (Harkin). Actors and actresses have also considered the word “Macbeth” to be very unlucky. In fact that in some theaters, no one is to say “Macbeth” unless it’s during the actual rehearsal or actual production. Additionally, a superstition that might not be as well known is something called a ghost light. Its purpose it to protect the theater from any ghosts or spirits that want to cause mischief. Ghost lights are still used in many theaters today. The effects of not leaving ghost lights on can range from clothing malfunctions, faulty speakers, and props breaking. Fortunately, there are a few ways to reverse the curse. The rituals include yelling a string of obscenities, spinning around 3 times, and lastly spitting over your left shoulder then exiting the theater until you’re invited back (MacGowan). Then, and only then, do people think it is safe and the dangers of the curse are …show more content…
"Phantoms of the Theatre." AMERICAN THEATRE. N.p., 01 Dec. 2016. Web. 22 Dec. 2016.
Doug MacGowan. "The Macbeth Curse." Historic Mysteries. N.p., 19 May 2012. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
Faires, Robert. "The Curse of the Play." Arts - The Austin Chronicle. N.p., 13 Oct. 2000. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
Harkin, Tess. "Top 10 Theater Superstitions | Camp Broadway." Camp Broadway RSS. N.p., 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
McNamara, Robert. "Bloody 1849 New York City Riot Was Provoked By Opera House Actors." About.com Education. N.p., 23 Nov. 2016. Web. 22 Dec. 2016.
Schumm, Laura. "Why Do Actors Avoid the Word “Macbeth”?" History.com. A&E Television Networks, 09 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
@ticketnetwork. "The Curse, Legend, and Superstitions of Shakespeare's Macbeth." TicketNetwork Blog. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Dec. 2016
"Why Did Shakespeare Write (Wrote) Macbeth?" Write a Writing. N.p., 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 21 Dec.
Mrs. Detwiler
Honors English I
23 December 2016
The Do’s and Don’ts of Macbeth
Macbeth, black magic, and witches. What do these 3 things have in common? The answer is: a recipe for disaster. The play Macbeth, written by Shakespeare in 1606, has a tendency to make people feel uneasy. From untimely deaths to spooky incantations, Macbeth has a reputation for mayhem, and continues sometimes still to this day.
Now with anything, the curse had to start somewhere and there are many theories and legends about why there seems to be a curse on the play Macbeth. One legend says that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth for King James I to impress him. At the time, King James supported Shakespeare’s endeavors and paid for them, so to thank him …show more content…
Some of them even date back to Shakespearean times! Any person, even if they don’t have experience in theater probably know it’s bad to utter the words “good luck.” Instead, people say the phrase “break a leg.” Historians believe it originated in Shakespearean times when stages were supported by thin legs. When a great show caused a ruckus, one of the legs of the stage would break” (Harkin). Actors and actresses have also considered the word “Macbeth” to be very unlucky. In fact that in some theaters, no one is to say “Macbeth” unless it’s during the actual rehearsal or actual production. Additionally, a superstition that might not be as well known is something called a ghost light. Its purpose it to protect the theater from any ghosts or spirits that want to cause mischief. Ghost lights are still used in many theaters today. The effects of not leaving ghost lights on can range from clothing malfunctions, faulty speakers, and props breaking. Fortunately, there are a few ways to reverse the curse. The rituals include yelling a string of obscenities, spinning around 3 times, and lastly spitting over your left shoulder then exiting the theater until you’re invited back (MacGowan). Then, and only then, do people think it is safe and the dangers of the curse are …show more content…
"Phantoms of the Theatre." AMERICAN THEATRE. N.p., 01 Dec. 2016. Web. 22 Dec. 2016.
Doug MacGowan. "The Macbeth Curse." Historic Mysteries. N.p., 19 May 2012. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
Faires, Robert. "The Curse of the Play." Arts - The Austin Chronicle. N.p., 13 Oct. 2000. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
Harkin, Tess. "Top 10 Theater Superstitions | Camp Broadway." Camp Broadway RSS. N.p., 31 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
McNamara, Robert. "Bloody 1849 New York City Riot Was Provoked By Opera House Actors." About.com Education. N.p., 23 Nov. 2016. Web. 22 Dec. 2016.
Schumm, Laura. "Why Do Actors Avoid the Word “Macbeth”?" History.com. A&E Television Networks, 09 Apr. 2014. Web. 21 Dec. 2016.
@ticketnetwork. "The Curse, Legend, and Superstitions of Shakespeare's Macbeth." TicketNetwork Blog. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Dec. 2016
"Why Did Shakespeare Write (Wrote) Macbeth?" Write a Writing. N.p., 24 Oct. 2011. Web. 21 Dec.