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Macbeth : Context (Witches (King James I was interested in witchcraft, so…
Macbeth : Context
King James I
- Became King of Scots as James VI on 24th July 1567, at 13 months old.
- Became King of England at the age of 36.
- Died from a fever in 1625.
- He was interested in witchcraft and the supernatural.
Witches
- King James I was interested in witchcraft, so the play was directed towards him.
- King James I wrote a book called Daemonologie, which supported and encouraged the trials of witches.
- Any evidence of witchcraft led to hanging, burning, and drowning.
- Link to the North Berwick witch trials.
- In 1604, witchcraft became a capital offence.
Chain of Being
- Monarch → Nobles/Churchmen → Gentlemen → Commoners.
- All women were inferior to men, apart from exception of Elizabeth I.
- The hierarchy goes from God down to the lowest things in existence.
- When Macbeth kills Duncan (king) he disrupts the chain of being, which leads to chaos.
- God created everything in a strict hierarchy.
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Tragedy
- Fate is included in the unfortunate events.
- Foreshadowing and dramatic irony are used to build tension.
- Tragic hero possesses a tragic flaw, such as jealousy or vengefulness.
- Tragic end usually ends with a death.
- Tells the story of death or misery that is caused by bad luck and human error.