Macbeth in Context
Background:
The Tragedy of Macbeth, normally shortened to ‘Macbeth’ is a tragedy that was first performed around 1606 during the reign of James I of England (or James VI of Scotland). Shakespeare drew on contemporary events to inspire his writing of Macbeth. For example, it is believed that he was inspired by the king’s book Daemonologie which was about philosophy and magic which also commented on the 1590 Scottish witch trials in Berwick. The trials had been set up by the king, and some of the accused later confessed to trying to poison the king and the royal household. This direct experience that King James had, and the links with Scotland clearly influenced Shakespeare’s writing. Shakespeare even referenced specific events in the the king’s life, for example, the sinking of his fleet in a storm which was believed to have been a product of witchcraft - ‘purposely to be cassin into the sea to raise winds for destruction of ships.’ - Macbeth, I. iii. 15-25. Shakespeare’s play is an adaptation from several stories in the Holinshed’s Chronicles, which told the story of British history. Macbeth and Banquo are in fact based on 11th century Scottish kings, although the chronicles and Shakespeare’s Macbeth bear little resemblance to their true stories.
Synopsis:
The play revolves around Macbeth and his wife’s desire for power and the lengths they will go to get it. Witches give a prophecy that Macbeth will become thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland, and that Banquo will produce a line of Scottish kings, but he will never be king himself. They don’t believe it until Macbeth is indeed made thane of Cawdor but still they are not totally convinced. Lady Macbeth is desperate for power however, and sees it as a chance for Macbeth to become king. She persuades him to murder the current king Duncan, and with Duncan’s sons fleeing Scotland, Macbeth becomes king. After this, Macbeth becomes scared that the rest of the prophecy will come true and that Banquo’s children will seize the throne so he plans to have them murdered too, although Banquo’s son Fleance escapes. At this point things begin to unravel. Macbeth begins to see the ghost of Banquo, and plots more murders to ensure he retains the throne. Lady Macbeth also begins to have what we might now call a breakdown, and when the threat of the advancing armies rallied by Macduff getting nearer, she kills herself. Macbeth however, fights on until it is revealed that Macduff is the final part of the witches’ prophecy, the man ‘not of woman born’ (born by cesarean section), who would slay him. Macduff eventually kills Macbeth, and Malcolm, one of Duncan’s sons takes the throne.
The Scottish Play:
The play has had superstition surround it for a long time, with actors refusing to quote from it backstage, or to call it by its title, instead referring to the Scottish Play. This is because it was originally believed that Shakespeare had used real spells in the text, and that there had been misfortune and accidents when the play was referred to by its title. This is a tradition that has lived on.
Performance History:
Macbeth has been performed regularly since it was first performed, has been made into several film adaptations, and has also inspired other theatrical and cinematic works, for example, Kurosawa’s 1957 Throne of Blood.
Here are some of the film and tv adaptations from the last 20 years.
- 2001 - Film - Scotland PA - Director: William Morrissette
A modernized, dark comedy version set in 1975 in a fast food restaurant in America.
- 2003 - Film - Maqbool - Director:Vishal Bhardwaj
An Indian crime film adaptation in Hindi and Urdu that won international acclaim
- 2010 - TV Adaptation - Director: Rupert Goold
Adapted from Goold’s stage adaptation. It ‘evokes the atmosphere of the Soviet Union under Stalin, with subtle parallels between Stalin and Macbeth in their equally brutal quests for power.’
- 2015 - Film - Director: Justin Kurzel
A war historical drama based on Macbeth, which was a critical success.
There have also been many theatrical productions, and I have chosen to compare and contrast the 2011 - Liverpool Everyman Playhouse production, directed by Gemma Bodinet, with our performance of Macbeth.
2011 - Liverpool Everyman Playhouse production, directed by Gemma Bodinet
This production was very dark and had a minimal staging. The Three witches were casted as three old women which is stereo typical and completely different to how we approached it.
Bodinet said in an interview about the production that she wanted it to ‘be about the times we live in now’
Bodinet said in an interview about the production that she wanted it to ‘be about the times we live in now’
(https://www.digitaltheatreplus.com/making-theatre/acting-company/on-directing-gemma-bodinetz#). I think this is one of the similarities with our production as we are looking at the issues that are affecting us, particularly women, today: Power dynamics, gender identity.
2017 - BRIT production, directed by Sarah Goodall
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