Macbeth Summary - historical context and the main female roles.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Story Context:

* Macbeth was written around 1606

* King James I has recently honoured Shakespeare's theatre company and so this play was a 'thank you' to him;

o The story is made relevant to him as he had written a book on Demonology about witchcraft with many of his beliefs appearing in Macbeth.

o He also claimed direct descendant of Banquo.

o King James later had a medal struck of a snake concealed by flowers after the gunpowder plot on him as it showed deceitful concealment of that in Macbeth.

* Women in the 17th century (1600's) have had no rights and were inferior to men.

o They were thought to be more misogynistic as well, implying that they were more susceptible to evil as well e.g. first sin.

o They were to be obedient to father and husband and hostess to men so they couldn't get a divorce & if divorced they would own property or land and would be frowned upon by society

o Women had no power or education (Lady Macbeth is different; she can read & has power over husband and as