Gender Roles
Gender roles in Jacobean times are the same as today. True or false?
False.
The time under King James I is known as what era?
Jacobean
Being a witch was punishable by death in Jacobean England. True or false?
true
What religion would a Jacobean audience be predominantly?
Christian
What is the Divine Right of Kings?
A belief that kings and queens are chosen by God. They are representatives of God on earth.
In Jacobean times, men were expected to be:
Dominant, superior and noble.
What year did King James I succeed Elizabeth I?
1603
James I outlawed what in respect to witches?
Being associated with them.
What did Jacobean Christian audiences fear?
Hell, witches, demons, the Devil
What year was Macbeth written in?
1606
In Jacobean times, women were expected to be:
Subordinate, dutiful, nurturing
Why did Shakespeare set Macbeth in Scotland?
James I had been the King of Scotland since 1567 and Shakespeare wanted to gain his favour.
How would a Jacobean audience feel about witches?
Fearful and distrustful
How would Lady Macbeth calling upon 'spirits' in Act 1, Scene 5 been seen by Jacobeans?
Blasphemous, shocking, immoral
What reference to treason does Shakespeare make in Macbeth?
The regicide of King Duncan.
Lady Macbeth does what to expected gender roles of the time within the play?
Subverts the expectations, presenting herself as unnatural.
Who did James I believe was his ancestor?
James I believed he was descended from a medieval thane called Banquo
Shakespeare appealed to James' I fascination with witches in Macbeth how?
He begins the play with an ominous scene featuring three “weird sisters” (which fit James’s description of witches).
other acceptable answers: There are four separate scenes featuring witches; The three witches are seen plotting to commit evil acts against innocent men; They are presented making evil spells; They are seen causing numerous natural disturbances
What is the Great Chain of Being?
A belief in an order of things in the universe. It represented a hierarchy of all things that asserted God’s authority at the top of the chain. In essence, the Great Chain of Being was God’s plan for the world
Macbeth is known for having what type of personality trait most famously?
Ambition.
What is Shakespeare suggesting about Lady Macbeth's attempt at agency?
That it is better for women to stick to societal norms and that her downfall comes from her unnatural attempt to have control over her husband and her status.
King James I attempted to unify Scotland, Ireland and England into Great Britain. How does Shakespeare represent this within Macbeth?
Malcolm – a good and rightful king – is seen unifying the lords and thanes of England and Scotland in the play. Whereas, Macbeth is seen as creating division.
How does Shakespeare represent the witches and those associated with them in the play?
Shakespeare presents the witches (and those characters tempted by them) as disruptive forces, set against the moral goodness and order of Malcolm, the rightful king.
What would happen if someone were to attempt to break the Great Chain of Being and how were they tempted to do this?
The Devil, demons and witches attempted to break the Great Chain of Being, sometimes by tempting humans to commit sinful acts. Any attempt to break the chain would upset God’s order and bring about disorder to the world. An attempt to break the Great Chain of Being was, therefore, blasphemous
What happens in each act (out of 5) of the play?
Act 1: Macbeth meets three witches who prophesy he will become king, sparking his dangerous ambition.
Act 2: Macbeth murders King Duncan in his sleep and takes the throne, beginning his descent into guilt and paranoia.
Act 3: Macbeth (now king) becomes increasingly tyrannical and orders the murder of Banquo, who returns as a ghost to haunt him.
Act 4: The witches give Macbeth misleading prophecies that make him feel invincible, while he brutally orders more killings, including Macduff’s family.
Act 5: As Macbeth’s power collapses and his enemies advance, he is defeated and killed by Macduff, restoring order to Scotland.