Key Facts about Macbeth
Historical Context & Authorship
- Written by William Shakespeare around 1606
- First performed during the reign of King James I of England (James VI of Scotland)
- Based on Holinshed's Chronicles, a historical account of Scottish history
- One of Shakespeare's shortest tragedies
The play was likely written to appeal to King James I, who was fascinated by witchcraft and had Scottish heritage.
Setting & Time Period
- Set in medieval Scotland, primarily in and around Inverness (Macbeth's castle)
- Time period: 11th century (approximately 1040)
- Moves between various locations including:
- The battlefield
- Macbeth's castle at Inverness
- Dunsinane Castle
- The royal palace at Forres
Major Themes
- Ambition and its corrupting influence
- The supernatural and its role in fate
- Guilt and conscience
- Gender and power
- Appearance vs. reality
When analyzing the play, pay special attention to how these themes interweave and influence each other throughout the narrative.
Structure
- Five acts following classical tragic structure
