Macbeth: Context

Contextual Overview

Macbeth is one of the most famous tragedies and was written by William Shakespeare between 1599 and 1606.
The play is heavily influenced by historical events of the time, particularly the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. This plot to assassinate King James I and his government was a major act of treason and it had significant consequences. Macbeth’s own act of regicide would have been seen as a horrific crime by audiences of the time.
Shakespeare likely wrote the play to please King James I, who was the ruler of England when Macbeth was written and performed. James was a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company, and of all the plays Shakespeare wrote under James’s reign, Macbeth most clearly reflects the playwright’s close relationship with the sovereign.

Religion, Witchcraft and the Supernatural

In Shakespearean time, belief in the supernatural was common. Things like witches, omens and ghosts were all seen as real and part of everyday life.
In the play, the witches, or the “Weird Sisters”, are the catalyst for Macbeth’s ambition and his subsequent actions. Their role can be seen as a metaphorical representation of evil and the dark side of human nature.
King James I had a fascination with witchcraft and even wrote a book on the subject titled “Daemonologie”. This interest is reflected in the play’s heavy focus on the supernatural.

Societal Views on Kingship and Power

The divine right of kings was a widely accepted concept during Shakespeare’s lifetime. This belief held that a monarch’s power was granted by God and any act against the monarch, such as regicide, was seen as an act against God himself.
The chaos and disorder that befall Scotland after Macbeth seizes power serve to underline this belief in the divine right of kings. Macbeth’s punishment and downfall sends a clear message that such treason against a divinely appointed ruler is doomed to fail.

Gender Roles in Society

Women in Shakespeare’s time were expected to be obedient, gentle, and nurturing, which Lady Macbeth defies with her ambition, manipulation, and involvement in murder.
The contrast between the traditional societal expectations of women and Lady Macbeth’s uncharacteristic behaviour would have been particularly shocking to a Shakespearean audience.

Political Power and Social Hierarchy

Much of Macbeth centers around themes of power, ambition, and social order. During the Elizabethan era, a strict social hierarchy was maintained, with the monarch holding ultimate power.
Macbeth’s shift from respected noble to power-hungry King who disrupts the social order would have signalled great danger to audiences of the time. When Macbeth disrupts the natural order of things, chaos ensues throughout the kingdom. This reflected the belief during Shakespeare’s time that the monarch was a representative of God on Earth, and resisting them was akin to resisting the will of God.