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Macbeth


            "Macbeth" was written by William Shakespeare in 1606, during the reign of James I. "Macbeth with all its artistry and complex structure dealt with themes of contemporary immediacy in a language and style readily accessible to its audience." The play was written to please the king and included many of his interests; especially his interest of witches and witchcraft and consequently the witches are key characters in the play. Due to the purported relationship between King James I and Banquo, Shakespeare has included Banquo in the play to be a good character, as to flatter the king. Shakespeare also wrote the play because there was actually a Macbeth, who was king, during the eleventh century, of Scotland. It is believed that he was a good king but Shakespeare portrayed him to be evil to emphasise and exaggerate the goodness of Banquo's character. The Gunpowder Plot, 1605, was also a key event that inspired Shakespeare to write "Macbeth"; during the play images of this are picked to commemorate the King's close escape. A medal was also made at the time portraying a snake hidden by flowers as a remembrance; this image is referred to by Lady Macbeth, "look like th"innocent flower," whilst advising her husband. .
             The scene is set in the courtyard of Macbeth's castle, which immediately creates the sense of seclusion. It begins in a similar style to a horror story; "a shrieking owl" accompanies Lady Macbeth when she is waiting for Macbeth to return. The owl is often associated with death. She is full of "Dutch courage," and boasting of her part in the plot to murder Duncan. She says "That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold." This reveals to the audience that she is not actually sure of herself and is a complete contrast to her previous speeches that portray her to be a strong, self-assured character. She describes the owl as "the fatal bellman", which is "the man who rings the bell announcing the execution of a condemned criminal," which clarifies with the audience that Macbeth is undertaking the murder and that Lady Macbeth is anxious that he will not succeed.


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