Macbeth Help

Macbeth: The Basics

The Three Witches: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.”

Author: William Shakespeare

Literary Period: Renaissance

Genre: A five act play. This play is classified as a tragedy.

Year Written: First performed in 1606. First published in 1623.

Settings: Most of the settings are in Scotland and the major characters are Scottish. The scenes in Scotland are set at or near King Duncan’s castle at Forres, at Macbeth’s castle at Inverness, at Macduff’s castle at Fife and at Birnam Wood and Dunsinane Hill. There are also countryside settings (heaths) where Macbeth meets the Three Witches.

Time of Play: Action of the play is set in the 11th century. (Anglo-Saxon Period.)

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Characters: A full list of the characters appears on page 3. Below is a list of the major characters. Watch these people closely.

Macbeth: Highly respected soldier in King Duncan’s army. When the play opens, his title is Thane of Glamis. A thane is a feudal lord; Glamis is a region in Scotland.

Lady Macbeth: His wife. Major character. Actresses love to play this role because Lady Macbeth is one of the cruelest women in all of English literature.

Banquo: Another respected soldier and good friend to Macbeth. He is the voice of reason and good sense; tries (without success) to keep Macbeth from putting his faith in the witches. Has a young son named Fleance.

King Duncan: Reigning king of Scotland. Respected, fair. Most people –including Macbeth – like him.

Malcolm: King Duncan’s oldest son. Heir to the throne.

Donalbain: King Duncan’s younger son.

Macduff: Scottish nobleman, Thane of Fife. Straightforward, honest, perceptive. Watch him closely.

The Three Witches: Their names don’t matter; they are interchangeable, with no distinct personalities. Note they are sometimes called The Weird Sisters.

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