GCSE English Literature Exam Revision: Macbeth - Context

Summary

This video offers critical context for understanding William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth,' focusing on historical and political backdrops that influenced the play. It delves into King James I's reign, the real Macbeth's rule, and the Gunpowder Plot's impact on the narrative. The video also explores the role of religion, witchcraft, and the significance of the number three in the play, suggesting a deliberate ambiguity that may reflect Shakespeare's own religious sentiments and the era's social order.

Takeaways

• 📚 Context is crucial for understanding the relationship between texts and their historical setting, which is an assessment objective for exam boards.
• 👑 James I, who became king of England and Scotland after Elizabeth I's death, had a lineage that was not as clear-cut as desired, leading to past civil wars.
• 📖 Raphael Holinshed's chronicles influenced Shakespeare's depiction of Duncan as a weak king, contrasting with the real historical figure.
• 🎭 The real Macbeth was a fair and just king, unlike his portrayal in Shakespeare's play, possibly due to political pressures and royal patronage.
• 👮‍♂️ Society at the time was heavily influenced by the church and the crown, with concepts like feudalism and the divine right of kings deeply ingrained.
• 💣 The Gunpowder Plot of 1605, an attempt to kill King James, is reflected in the play's theme of traitors and the chaos that ensues from disrupting the social order.
• 🤔 There is speculation that Shakespeare's family had Catholic sympathies, which may be reflected in the ambiguity around religion in his plays.
• 🔮 King James's obsession with witches, fueled by personal experiences and his writings on demonology, is mirrored in the supernatural elements of 'Macbeth'.
• 🔢 The number three, significant in Christianity, is used repeatedly in the play, possibly to create ambiguity or to reflect the holy trinity.
• 👻 The presence of supernatural elements, such as the ghost of Banquo and the floating dagger, can be interpreted as either real or hallucinations of Macbeth.
• 🎭 The play can be seen as propaganda, illustrating the consequences of treason and reflecting the desire to maintain the social and religious order of the time.

Q & A

Why is context important in understanding Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?

Context is important because it helps to understand the relationship between texts and the circumstances in which they were written, which is one of the assessment objectives used by examiners to grade students' understanding.

Who was James VI of Scotland and how did he become King of England and Scotland?

James VI of Scotland was the king during Queen Elizabeth I's reign. Upon her death, he became the King of England and Scotland because Elizabeth had no children, and James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, making him a cousin of Elizabeth.

What historical inaccuracies are present in Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'?

The real Macbeth was a fair and just king, and Banquo was historically an ally of Macbeth, not an enemy as portrayed in the play. These changes may have been made to align with King James' preferences and to create a more compelling narrative.

How did Shakespeare's company come under royal patronage?

Shakespeare's company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, came under royal patronage after King James I took the throne, and it was subsequently known as the King's Men.

Why might Shakespeare have portrayed Banquo as an ally of good in 'Macbeth'?

Banquo was portrayed as an ally of good possibly because he was related to King James, and Shakespeare may have wanted to please the king and avoid any negative portrayals that could upset the royal family.

What was the significance of the Gunpowder Plot and how is it reflected in 'Macbeth'?

The Gunpowder Plot was an attempt to blow up King James and the English establishment in 1605. It is reflected in 'Macbeth' through the use of the word 'equivocator,' which was used by a Jesuit priest involved in the plot, and it became a term for double-talking to hide one's true beliefs.

How did the Church's persecution of non-believers during Shakespeare's time influence his work?

The Church's persecution, including the burning of heretics and the execution of so-called witches, influenced Shakespeare to include such themes in his plays, including 'Macbeth,' where he creates ambiguity around the role of witches.

What is the significance of the number three in 'Macbeth' and its relation to Christian beliefs?

The number three is significant in 'Macbeth' as it appears multiple times, possibly as an antithesis to the Christian concept of the Holy Trinity, the three apostles, and three archangels, which signify harmony and wholeness.

How does the play 'Macbeth' reflect King James' views on witchcraft?

The play reflects King James' views by including witches and suggesting their potential supernatural powers, despite creating ambiguity about their role, which may align with James' obsession with witches and his writings in 'Demonology.'

What is the ambiguity in the portrayal of the witches in 'Macbeth'?

The ambiguity lies in whether the witches are simply mischievous or possess supernatural powers, as well as whether the apparitions and hallucinations are real or figments of Macbeth's imagination.

How does Shakespeare use the concept of the supernatural in 'Macbeth'?

Shakespeare uses the supernatural through the presence of witches, apparitions, and hallucinations, leaving it to interpretation whether these elements are real or psychological manifestations of Macbeth's guilt and ambition.