Shakespeare, Shakespeare, MacbethMacbeth and and

Renaissance TheatreRenaissance Theatre

Mark Twain compared piecing together Shakespeare’s Mark Twain compared piecing together Shakespeare’s life to reconstructing a dinosaur from a few bits of bone life to reconstructing a dinosaur from a few bits of bone stuck together with plaster. According to Twain, we stuck together with plaster. According to Twain, we know more about the Stegosaurus than we do about know more about the Stegosaurus than we do about Shakespeare.Shakespeare.

Actually, Shakespeare’s life is unusually well-Actually, Shakespeare’s life is unusually well-documented for a normal man during this documented for a normal man during this time period, but the documentation takes the time period, but the documentation takes the form of drab entries in church registers and form of drab entries in church registers and city archives rather than more useful city archives rather than more useful resources. resources.

As with most 16As with most 16thth century births, century births, Shakespeare’s birthday is not recorded. The Shakespeare’s birthday is not recorded. The baptism, however, is. Since it was customary baptism, however, is. Since it was customary to baptize infants 3 days after their birth. to baptize infants 3 days after their birth. History has therefore recorded his birthday History has therefore recorded his birthday as April 23, 1564. as April 23, 1564.

His death was exactly 52 years later on His death was exactly 52 years later on April 23, 1616. April 23, 1616.

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, about 100 miles Avon, Warwickshire, about 100 miles northwest of London.northwest of London.

He came from a middle class family. His He came from a middle class family. His father was an established Stratford glove father was an established Stratford glove maker and leather dresser (although he maker and leather dresser (although he later became high bailiff to the area), and later became high bailiff to the area), and his mother Mary was a stay-at-home wife. his mother Mary was a stay-at-home wife.

Shakespeare’s home in Shakespeare’s home in StratfordStratford

There is no record that Shakespeare There is no record that Shakespeare attended school, but as the son of a attended school, but as the son of a prominent businessman, he would prominent businessman, he would have been entitled to free tuition at have been entitled to free tuition at the local grammar school.the local grammar school.

Since Shakespeare did not attend Since Shakespeare did not attend college, he would not have been college, he would not have been regarded as a man of learning in the regarded as a man of learning in the same league as fellow writers Ben same league as fellow writers Ben Johnson and John Milton. Johnson and John Milton.

At the age of 18, Shakespeare married At the age of 18, Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway of Shottery (near Anne Hathaway of Shottery (near Stratford). She was 26. As a minor, Stratford). She was 26. As a minor, Shakespeare required his father’s Shakespeare required his father’s permission to marry. permission to marry.

There is no documentary record of There is no documentary record of Shakespeare’s activities between the Shakespeare’s activities between the birth of his twins and 1592. In 1592, birth of his twins and 1592. In 1592, Shakespeare is called an “upstart crow” Shakespeare is called an “upstart crow” by Robert Greene, a jealous writer.by Robert Greene, a jealous writer.

This quote is important because it This quote is important because it verified several facts about verified several facts about Shakespeare’s career as it developed Shakespeare’s career as it developed by 1592:by 1592:– He had become famous enough to rankle He had become famous enough to rankle

Greene’s jealousy.Greene’s jealousy.– He had become part of the professional He had become part of the professional

theatre world in London.theatre world in London.– He was known as a man with various He was known as a man with various

abilities (actor, playwright, and play abilities (actor, playwright, and play reviser).reviser).

– He was recognized as a skilled poet. He was recognized as a skilled poet.

The years 1594 – 1599 were momentous The years 1594 – 1599 were momentous for Shakespeare. In addition to creating a for Shakespeare. In addition to creating a steady stream of plays, he continued as a steady stream of plays, he continued as a principal actor and manager of an acting principal actor and manager of an acting company called the Lord Chamberlain’s company called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. As a result, he prospered financially Men. As a result, he prospered financially and later became a part owner in the most and later became a part owner in the most prestigious public theatre, the Globe. prestigious public theatre, the Globe.

In 1596, Shakespeare’s family was granted a coat of arms, an Elizabethan status symbol. The motto was “Non Sans Droit” – not without right. The crest is a falcon shaking a spear.

In 1603, Queen Elizabeth dies and In 1603, Queen Elizabeth dies and James VI of Scotland becomes James James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England. I of England.

Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616 and was buried at Holy Trinity Church. and was buried at Holy Trinity Church. His epitaph reads – His epitaph reads –

““GOOD FRIEND FOR JESUS SAKE GOOD FRIEND FOR JESUS SAKE FORBEARE,FORBEARE,

TO DIGG THE DUST ENCLOSAED HEARE.TO DIGG THE DUST ENCLOSAED HEARE.

BLESTE BE YE MAN YT SPARES THESE BLESTE BE YE MAN YT SPARES THESE STONES,STONES,

AND CURST BE HE TY MOVES MY BONES. “AND CURST BE HE TY MOVES MY BONES. “

Shakespeare had good reason to Shakespeare had good reason to include this inscription over his grave. include this inscription over his grave. During the Renaissance, when a During the Renaissance, when a burial ground became overcrowded, it burial ground became overcrowded, it was common practice for was common practice for gravediggers to empty old graves and gravediggers to empty old graves and dump the remains to make way for dump the remains to make way for new corpses. new corpses.

No one knows how Shakespeare died; No one knows how Shakespeare died; the nature of his illness is unknown. the nature of his illness is unknown.

Did Shakespeare write his own Did Shakespeare write his own plays and poems?plays and poems?

The most obvious evidence that The most obvious evidence that Shakespeare wrote the works attributed Shakespeare wrote the works attributed to him is that everyone at the time said to him is that everyone at the time said he did. He was often praised in writing he did. He was often praised in writing as a poet and playwright. Further, he as a poet and playwright. Further, he was named as the author of many of the was named as the author of many of the works while he was alive. Finally, seven works while he was alive. Finally, seven years after his death, the years after his death, the First FolioFirst Folio explicitly attributed the rest of the works explicitly attributed the rest of the works to him. to him.

Who else could have been the Who else could have been the author?author?

Oxfordians claim that the man from Oxfordians claim that the man from Stratford was “William Shakesper (or Stratford was “William Shakesper (or “Shakespere”), a man whose name was “Shakespere”), a man whose name was spelled and pronounced differently from that spelled and pronounced differently from that of the great poet “William Shakespeare.”of the great poet “William Shakespeare.”

Sir Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, and Sir Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, and Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford have also Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford have also been given credit for various reasons and been given credit for various reasons and evidence. evidence.

Sir Francis BaconSir Francis Bacon

Christopher MarloweChristopher Marlowe

Edward de VereEdward de Vere

Shakespeare’s source for Shakespeare’s source for MacbethMacbeth

The primary source for Macbeth was Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, first published in 1577.

Map of Macbeth’s ScotlandMap of Macbeth’s Scotland

Map of Macbeth’s ScotlandMap of Macbeth’s Scotland

The REAL MacbethThe REAL Macbeth

LineageLineage Macbeth was the king's given name, Macbeth was the king's given name,

rather than a 'son of' family name. rather than a 'son of' family name. – It derives from the Gaelic mac beatha It derives from the Gaelic mac beatha

meaning 'son of life'.meaning 'son of life'.– His lineage can be traced back through His lineage can be traced back through

three and a half centuries to the Cenel three and a half centuries to the Cenel Loairn (clan of Loarn) of Dalraida. Loairn (clan of Loarn) of Dalraida.

Contrary to Shakespeare's depiction, there Contrary to Shakespeare's depiction, there was no suggestion that Macbeth was a was no suggestion that Macbeth was a usurper or a murderer until three hundred usurper or a murderer until three hundred years after his death. years after his death.

The first history to disparage his The first history to disparage his succession is John Fordun's succession is John Fordun's ChronicleChronicle written in the fourteenth century.written in the fourteenth century.

In fact, Macbeth's claim on the throne was In fact, Macbeth's claim on the throne was at least as valid as Duncan's. The charge at least as valid as Duncan's. The charge of murder is first leveled in Andrew of of murder is first leveled in Andrew of Wyntoun's Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland, Wyntoun's Orygynale Cronykil of Scotland, also dating from the fourteenth centuryalso dating from the fourteenth century..

The REAL Lady MacbethThe REAL Lady Macbeth

When Shakespeare wrote his play, he was When Shakespeare wrote his play, he was dependent upon the only sources available dependent upon the only sources available to him - Raphael Holinshed's to him - Raphael Holinshed's Chronicle of Chronicle of ScotlandScotland (1580s) and John Bellenden's (1580s) and John Bellenden's translation of Hector Boerce's translation of Hector Boerce's History and History and Chronicles of ScotlandChronicles of Scotland (1536). (1536). Unfortunately, this work is now regarded as Unfortunately, this work is now regarded as largely fiction.largely fiction.

It was Boerce who invented the character of It was Boerce who invented the character of 'Lady Macbeth', refined by Shakespeare into 'Lady Macbeth', refined by Shakespeare into his 'fiend-like queen'.his 'fiend-like queen'.

Macbeth's historical wife was Gruoch, who Macbeth's historical wife was Gruoch, who was either a niece of Malcolm II or a was either a niece of Malcolm II or a granddaughter of Kenneth III.granddaughter of Kenneth III.

Gruoch was born of a royal line at odds with Gruoch was born of a royal line at odds with Malcolm and presumably the house of Malcolm and presumably the house of Dunkeld, where he had designated his Dunkeld, where he had designated his succession. succession.

She also had reason for hostility towards She also had reason for hostility towards Macbeth, since she had earlier been the Macbeth, since she had earlier been the wife of Gillacomgain, burned to death by wife of Gillacomgain, burned to death by Macbeth or his followers. Macbeth or his followers.

The marriage took place before Macbeth's The marriage took place before Macbeth's succession and was most likely a political succession and was most likely a political union, designed to bring peace between the union, designed to bring peace between the contending kindreds of Moray.contending kindreds of Moray.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Shakespeare wrote the play Shakespeare wrote the play MacbethMacbeth in in 1606 - three years after the union of the 1606 - three years after the union of the Crowns of Scotland and England under Crowns of Scotland and England under James VI and I, of the Scottish Stuart James VI and I, of the Scottish Stuart family. family.

Shakespeare put a contemporary 'spin' Shakespeare put a contemporary 'spin' on Holinshed's version in the on Holinshed's version in the ChroniclesChronicles (published in 1578), making Macbeth the (published in 1578), making Macbeth the villain in order to flatter the new king. villain in order to flatter the new king.

The 3 Witches The 3 Witches

In addition, King James was obsessed In addition, King James was obsessed with the occult in general and with the occult in general and witches in particular, and it has been witches in particular, and it has been suggested that he insisted on the suggested that he insisted on the presence of witches in the play. presence of witches in the play.

The “Weird Sisters” (Shakespeare The “Weird Sisters” (Shakespeare meant “wyrd” – fate and destinymeant “wyrd” – fate and destiny..

DuncanDuncan

Duncan was not the wise and gentle Duncan was not the wise and gentle old man depicted by the Bard. He old man depicted by the Bard. He held his throne for only six years, held his throne for only six years, getting involved in the treacherous getting involved in the treacherous Anglo-Norse politics of Northumbria Anglo-Norse politics of Northumbria and hence presiding over various and hence presiding over various unsuccessful campaigns in England. unsuccessful campaigns in England.

Map of Macbeth’s castleMap of Macbeth’s castle

The Curse of The Curse of MacbethMacbeth The "Curse of The "Curse of MacbethMacbeth" is the misfortune " is the misfortune

that happens during the production of the that happens during the production of the play.play.

The theory goes that Shakespeare included The theory goes that Shakespeare included actual black magic spells in the incantations actual black magic spells in the incantations of the weird sisters. Those who appear in the of the weird sisters. Those who appear in the play or those who mention the play's name play or those who mention the play's name within the confines of a theatre risk having within the confines of a theatre risk having these evils brought down on their heads.these evils brought down on their heads.

  The tragedy of The tragedy of MacbethMacbeth is considered so is considered so unlucky that it is hardly ever called by name unlucky that it is hardly ever called by name inside the profession. inside the profession.

People refer to the play as "that play”, “the People refer to the play as "that play”, “the unmentionable" or "the Scottish play." unmentionable" or "the Scottish play."

It is supposed to be bad luck to quote from the It is supposed to be bad luck to quote from the play or to use any sets, costumes, or props from play or to use any sets, costumes, or props from a production. a production.

The play partly acquired its evil reputation The play partly acquired its evil reputation because of the weird sisters and partly because because of the weird sisters and partly because tradition traces a long line of disasters back to tradition traces a long line of disasters back to its premier on August 7, 1606.its premier on August 7, 1606.

Macbeth’sMacbeth’s past past The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage on The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage on

opening night. opening night.

In 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a single week.In 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a single week.

  In one production of Macbeth, nothing went wrong until the In one production of Macbeth, nothing went wrong until the fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff. fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff. – Both actors had round "Celtic-style" shields strapped to their Both actors had round "Celtic-style" shields strapped to their

forearms of their left arms. The fight was very physical. forearms of their left arms. The fight was very physical. – The actor playing Macbeth made a violent move with his left The actor playing Macbeth made a violent move with his left

arm and the shield left his arm and flew like a Frisbee for arm and the shield left his arm and flew like a Frisbee for twenty feet across the stage.twenty feet across the stage.

– The actor playing Macduff ducked instinctively and the The actor playing Macduff ducked instinctively and the shield hit the ground about sixteen inches from the front of shield hit the ground about sixteen inches from the front of the stage. Sitting in the front row, directly opposite the the stage. Sitting in the front row, directly opposite the shield sat two nunsshield sat two nuns..

The superstition is not so much about The superstition is not so much about doing the play as about naming it. doing the play as about naming it.

You are not supposed to mention the title You are not supposed to mention the title in a theatre. in a theatre.

The most interesting theory is that the The most interesting theory is that the play contains the devil in the form of the play contains the devil in the form of the porter. (does this work if he says he porter. (does this work if he says he answers the door in the name of answers the door in the name of Beelzebub?) Beelzebub?)

The Remedy for the CurseThe Remedy for the Curse

The most common remedy to get rid The most common remedy to get rid of the curse is that the offender must of the curse is that the offender must step outside, turn around three step outside, turn around three times, spit, and say the foulest word times, spit, and say the foulest word he/she can think of, and wait for he/she can think of, and wait for permission to re-enter the theatre. permission to re-enter the theatre.

Theatre in EnglandTheatre in England

Drama in England started as plays being Drama in England started as plays being performed for the church on religious performed for the church on religious subjects (i.e. Resurrection of Christ)subjects (i.e. Resurrection of Christ)

Subject matter in theatre expanded to Subject matter in theatre expanded to also include morality stories (more also include morality stories (more character-based instead of biblical)character-based instead of biblical)

With the Renaissance, came a new With the Renaissance, came a new interest in creating a venue for theatre interest in creating a venue for theatre (playhouses).(playhouses).

Playhouses in LondonPlayhouses in London

To avoid the authorities, several To avoid the authorities, several playhouses moved across the playhouses moved across the Thames to neighborhoods not Thames to neighborhoods not controlled by London laws. (i.e. controlled by London laws. (i.e. Southwark)Southwark)

The subject matter of some plays The subject matter of some plays was sometimes seen as was sometimes seen as inappropriate. Moving the theatres inappropriate. Moving the theatres gave more liberty to the playwrights. gave more liberty to the playwrights.

Shakespeare’s GlobeShakespeare’s Globe

an open-air public theatre an open-air public theatre constructed from remnants of the constructed from remnants of the Theatre, which had recently been Theatre, which had recently been demolished.demolished.

3 main parts:3 main parts: The building proper (seating located here)The building proper (seating located here) The stageThe stage The Tiring house (backstage area)The Tiring house (backstage area)

““The Building Proper”The Building Proper”

The building could hold approx. 3000 The building could hold approx. 3000 spectators. spectators.

For one penny, a person could stand in For one penny, a person could stand in the “yard” to watch the performance.the “yard” to watch the performance.

For a little more, patrons could go up into For a little more, patrons could go up into the galleries of the theatre for a better the galleries of the theatre for a better view.view.

The most expensive seats were chairs The most expensive seats were chairs set right on the stage along its two sides.set right on the stage along its two sides.

The seats were set up “stadium-style, and theybecame larger the farther back you went.

During a performance on Henry VIII, a cannon fired to announce the king’s entrance caught the thatch roof on fire. The theatre did notreopen for a year. Luckily no one was seriously injured…fortunate since there were only 2 exits. (One story does say that one man was injured because he used ale to put out his burning britches.

The StageThe Stage

jutted halfway out into the yard, so the jutted halfway out into the yard, so the actors were in much closer contact with actors were in much closer contact with the audience the audience

There was a trapdoor in the ceiling and There was a trapdoor in the ceiling and floor of the stage to allow for objects to be floor of the stage to allow for objects to be lowered on or off stage. lowered on or off stage.

The area below the stage was known as The area below the stage was known as “Hell.”“Hell.”

The ceiling was painted with sun, moons, The ceiling was painted with sun, moons, and stars to represent the “Heavens.”and stars to represent the “Heavens.”

Tiring HouseTiring House

contained machinery and dressing contained machinery and dressing roomsrooms

A connected gallery above allowed A connected gallery above allowed for musicians and even spectators.for musicians and even spectators.

Elizabethan Elizabethan Advertising

Above the hut (above the tiring house) was a small tower with a flag pole. Flags were erected on the day of the performance which sometimes displayed a picture advertising the next play to be performed.

Color coding  was also used: - a black flag meant a tragedy , white a comedy and red a history.

PropsProps

If a character carried a lantern, it If a character carried a lantern, it was meant to represent night (plays was meant to represent night (plays had to be performed during the day had to be performed during the day for lighting)for lighting)

For a forest setting, a few bushes For a forest setting, a few bushes and small trees might be put on and small trees might be put on stage. stage.

Indoor TheatresIndoor Theatres

Blackfriars, owned by Shakespeare’s Blackfriars, owned by Shakespeare’s company, was one of several indoor company, was one of several indoor theatres in London. theatres in London.

The benefit to an indoor theatre was The benefit to an indoor theatre was that actors could perform regardless that actors could perform regardless of the hour or weather. of the hour or weather.

PLAGUE!PLAGUE! There were constant outbreaks of the Bubonic Plague

and every time this occurred the Theatres were shut down. The closures occurred in 1593 , 1603 and 1608

In 1563, in London alone, over 20,000 people died of the disease - In 1665 the Great Plague of London again decimated the population of the town which killed 16% of the inhabitants (17,500 out of the population of 93,000)

From December 1592 until December 1593 Stow (the Elizabethan archivist) reported 10,675 plague deaths in London, a city of approximately 200,000 people

THE SPREAD OF THE BUBONIC PLAGUE

The City of London was filthy during Shakespeare's era

There was no sewage system. The waste was just dumped into the River Thames

The disease was transmitted by the fleas that lived on rodents and animals, especially rats

The Bubonic plague (Black Death) was always caught or spread from an infected animal or person

THE SYMPTOMS OF THE BUBONIC PLAGUE

The symptoms are: – Painful swellings in the armpits, legs, neck, or groin – Very high fever – Delirium and mental disorientation – Vomiting – Muscular pains – Bleeding in the lungs – An intense desire to sleep, which, if yielded to,

quickly proved fatal The victims would often die within two to four

days.

““Ring Around the Rosy”Ring Around the Rosy”

The children’s nursery song originated s The children’s nursery song originated s the plague song. the plague song. – Ring around the rosy (painful puss-filled sores)

A pocketful of posies (people carried flowers to block out the stench of unburied corpses)"Ashes, Ashes“ (remains were often cremated)

We all fall down!Ring-a-Ring o'Rosies

A Pocket full of Posies"A-tishoo! A-tishoo!“ (sneezing) We all fall Down! (people dying)