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Home , The Scottish Play, Three Witches

THE SCOTTISH PLAY

Nugent English 11 “THE SCOTTISH ”

• According to myth, speaking the name inside a theater will cause disaster.

• So, the lead character is often called: • The Scottish King • The Scottish Lord

• And the play is often called: • • The Bard’s Play POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF ‘THE CURSE’

• Many believe the spells cast by the Three are REAL spells. • ’s role (leader of the witches) is often cut from productions of the play • Hecate’s authorship (or origin) in the play is unknown.

POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF “THE CURSE”

• Shakespeare took actual lines from a of witches. • The witches heard and cursed the play. • A prop master couldn’t find a proper cauldron. • He stole one from a coven and they stole it back and cursed the play. • Shakespeare wanted to curse the play so no other director could direct it

POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF “THE CURSE”

• Supposedly an actor died during the premier of Macbeth • A real dagger was used instead of a prop. • Many theaters who put on the play went out of business. • Tried to bring in new business • The production was expensive • Shakespeare wrote the play to celebrate the King’s Scottish heritage. • King James I didn’t really enjoy the play • He called it “that Scottish play”

POSSIBLE ORIGINS OF “THE CURSE”

• Percy Hammond of the Herald Tribune, was negative about ’s production of all African American version of the play set in Haiti. • He accused the actors of being inaudible and timid. • In response, one of the African drummers created a voodoo doll of Hammond, stuck pins in it, and encouraged Welles to take responsibility for any torments Hammond suffered as a result. • Welles says he found this amusing, until Hammond died shortly afterward CLEANSING

• When Macbeth is spoken in a theater, the person must leave. • They have to perform a cleansing • Then, they can be invited in.

• The rituals will help to ward off the evil spirits.

CLEANSING RITUALS

• Rituals include: • Turning three times in a circle • Spitting over your left shoulder • Saying “Macbeth” three times outside after spinning and brushing yourself off. • Some theaters will ask you to leave the theater, perform the ritual, and wait outside to be invited back in. CLEANSING RITUALS

• Reciting a line from another of Shakespeare’s plays can cleanse you. • “Angels and ministers of grace defend us” () • “If we shadows have offended” (A Midsummer Night’s Dream) • “Fair thoughts and happy hours attend on you” ()

CLEANSING RITUALS

• Clip from Black Adder • Sense and Senility • 10:49 – 12:50