Unit 9- Macbeth I (KKHSOU BA-PASS 1ST SEM 2023)
Unit 9- Macbeth I
- Write a note on the life of William Shakespeare.
Ans: William Shakespeare who is also popularly known as “the Bard ofAvon” was born on April 26th, 1564. Traditionally, however, his birth is celebrated on April 23rd which is also known to have been the date of his death. He was the eldest of the eight children of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden of Stratford-of-Avon. Of their eight children, only five survived through childhood. John Shakespeare was essentially a tradesman dealing with gloves and other commodities by occupation, but played a significant part in local affairs and laier went on to become a bailiff in 1568. William Shakespeare’s mother came from a higher social standing than her husband. After marriage she witnessed the gradual decline of fortunes of her husband. William, like his other brothers, was given education in a local grammar school.
On November 28, 1582, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway, a wealthy widow who was eight years senior to him. Hathaway was from the village of Shottery which was at the vicinity of Stratford. Shakespeare sired a daughter Suzanna who was born in 1853 and the twins, Hamnet and Judith, who were born in the year 1585.It has been stated in archival records that Shakespeare began as a schoolmaster in the countryside. In 1587, an actor of a theatre company called Queen’s Men was killed before it could reach Stratford, and according to legend it may have filled up the vacancy, leading to his future rise as a renowned playwright.
Later, he became a leading member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1594. Shakespeare became prosperous as he worked with the Chamberlain’s Men, and soon the theatre group became the leading theatre company of London and
succeeded in occupying the famous Globe Theatre in 1599. The group soon came to be known as the King’s Men. Shakespeare flourished as a playwright and in the year 1610, he left London for his hometown, where he began to live in a new residence at a place called New Place. His relationship with the theatre company ceased when the Globe Theatre was burnt down during a performance in 1613. During the last years of his life, Shakespeare became more involved with Stratford and his children, especially with regard to the marriage of his daughters. Nevertheless, his connection with the theatre world did not perish and he continued composing works. Shakespeare passed away on April 23rd 1616 and was buried in Holy Trinity.
1.Write a few lines on the William Shakespeare’s origins.
Ans: William Shakespeare was one of the greatest known literary figures of English literature. Shakespeare who is famously known as “the Bard of Avon” was born on April 26th, 1564. He was the eldest of the eight children of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden of Stratford-of-Avon. Of their eight children, only five survived childhood. John Shakespeare was essentially a tradesman dealing with gloves and other commodities by occupation, but played a significant part in local affairs and later went on to become a bailiff in 1568. After marriage, Mary Arden witnessed the gradual decline of fortunes of her husband. William, like his other brothers, was given education in a local grammar school.
- Briefly describe the famous Globe theatre ?
Ans: Globe Theatre was a large polygonal, thatched building, with a centre open to the sky. It was used for the purpose of theatre performances. - What were the themes that emerged in the first and second group of sonnets?
Ans: The first group comprises of sonnets written on themes of friendship and are passionately addressed to a “fair youth” These. sonnetsreflect the poet’s personal relationship with a young man, probably belonging to a high rank. The second group comprises of sonnets addressed to a “Dark Lady” who is regarded as the mistress of the poet. - What was Shakespeare’s remarkable innovation while dealing with historical figures in his plays?
Ans: The playwright’s intermingling of real historical figures belonging to the court alongside commoners, and their interactions, was a remarkable innovation in his writings. He represented the kings and the princes as more mature and responsible figures, conscious of the needs of their subjects. - Name the last two plays by Shakespeare during his literary journey.
Ans: Some of the last plays of William Shakespeare were The Winter’s Tale, Cymbeline and The Tempest.
6.When was the tragedy Macbeth written? From whom did Shakespeare borrow the subject of the play?
Ans: The tragedy Mácbeth was written and performed in the Globe Theatre in 1606. However, it was only in the year 1623 that the first folio was printed. It is believed that Shakespeare had borrowed the subject of the play from a play written by Thomas Middleton.
- When was Macbeth first performed or staged?
Ans to Q No 7: The early history of the play Macbeth is equally interesting. The play was first performed for King James I, ruler of England after the notoriously infamous Gunpowder Conspiracy in which a group of Catholics attempted to assassinate the king by blowing up the entire Parliament. - Why was the play politically significant?
Ans: The play is politically significant as it deals with ambition, treason and the killing of a king. King James’s interest in the subjects of supernatural elements and kingship too influenced Shakespeare in the composition of the play. Further, the king had a Scottish ancestry and Macbeth deals with the life and times of the early kings of Scotland. As such it clearly appealed to him. King James the First’s fascination towards good governance and virtues of a king was so strong that he went on to write Basilikon Doron in 1599 that deals with the subject ofqualities of an ideal king. - What are the essential qualities of a King as described in the last act of Macbeth? Did Macbeth possess these qualities?
Ans: Shakespeare mentioned these qualities in Act IV of Macbeth where Malcolm speaks of “Justice, Verity, Temperance, Stableness, Bounty, Perseverance, Mercy, Lowliness, Devotion, Patience, Courage, Fortitude.” Macbeth possessed none of these qualities and his greatest vice was his pride together with the unquenchable thirst for power.
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