1.1 - The Author in Context
Shakespeare's life and career
William Shakespeare, born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, emerged as a leading playwright during the Elizabethan era under Queen Elizabeth I and the Jacobean era under King James I.
He joined the King's Men theatre company, which gained royal patronage from James I in 1603, requiring him to create works that aligned with the monarch's interests.
This connection influenced plays like Macbeth, written around 1606, as Shakespeare balanced artistic expression with the need to secure favour from powerful patrons.
Contextual connection
Shakespeare's dependence on royal approval reflects the precarious position of artists in Jacobean England, where playwrights navigated court politics to avoid censorship while addressing contemporary issues.
Historical and political influences
The early 17th century featured significant political unrest, including the 1605 Gunpowder Plot, a failed attempt by Catholic conspirators to kill King James I and overthrow the government.
This event amplified fears of treason and betrayal, themes central to Macbeth through the portrayal of regicide as a profound violation.
James I, originally James VI of Scotland, promoted the divine right of kings, the belief that monarchs derived authority directly from God, which Shakespeare reinforces by depicting Duncan's murder as disrupting the natural order.
Contextual connection
The Gunpowder Plot's aftermath heightened Jacobean anxieties about political stability, prompting Shakespeare to emphasise loyalty to the crown in his works to align with the era's emphasis on hierarchical order. James I's Scottish heritage and claimed descent from Banquo inspired the play's prophecy about Banquo's lineage producing kings, serving as subtle flattery to the monarch.
Shakespeare's engagement with the supernatural
James I held a strong interest in witchcraft, authoring Daemonologie in 1597 to argue for its existence and the need to persecute witches.
Shakespeare incorporated these elements into Macbeth with the witches' prophecies and spells, tapping into widespread fears of the occult during a time of religious tension.
This inclusion adds a layer of moral caution, portraying supernatural forces as catalysts for human downfall rather than mere fantasy.
Contextual connection
The Jacobean fascination with witchcraft, fuelled by James I's writings, allowed Shakespeare to explore how superstition intersected with political power in an era of witch hunts and religious persecution.
Purpose and thematic intentions in the play
Shakespeare aimed to examine ambition's destructive potential while upholding the sanctity of kingship, aligning with Jacobean values.
By presenting Duncan's rule as ideal and his death as causing cosmic chaos, the play reinforces the Great Chain of Being, a hierarchical worldview where upsetting divine order leads to universal disorder.
This approach combines social commentary on human nature with elements designed to please the king, blending cautionary tales with political reassurance.
Contextual connection
Written amid post-Elizabethan transitions, Macbeth reflects Shakespeare's need to navigate royal expectations, using themes of loyalty to comment on the fragility of power in a politically volatile period.