Task: How does this information link to the characters, plot and themes of Macbeth?

King James I

When Elizabeth I died without any children in 1603, her cousin King James VI of Scotland became king of England. He was given the title King James I. It was the first time that England, Scotland and Ireland were ruled under a single monarch. He became King of Scots as James VI on 24 July 1567, when he was just thirteen months old. He became king of England at the age of 36. He died from a fever in 1625.

James I was highly intelligent and developed a love of learning. He enjoyed poetry and reading, and wrote two books. One was about the dangers of smoking and the other was about witchcraft called Daemonologie. James I was very interested in witchcraft and took part in the North Berwick witch trials in Scotland. James claimed he was a descendant and of the real Banquo and therefore a rightful King. The play Macbeth perhaps explores the theme of rightful kingship (as Banquo is honest and a ‘good’ character) versus the evil usurper Macbeth.

James I also had an interest in plays. He became the patron of the King’s Men – the playing company that Shakespeare belonged to for most of his career. The main members of this company, including Shakespeare took part in King James’ coronation procession. James was not popular by all. Guy Fawkes tried to blow him and Parliament up because he disagreed with James’ religion. The conspirators were betrayed, and horribly tortured on the rack until they confessed. They were then executed in the most brutal fashion as a warning to other would-be traitors. Shakespeare's play Macbeth is to some extent a cautionary tale, warning any other potential regicides (king-killers) of the awful fate that will inevitably overtake them.

RELIGION IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND

The two major religions in Elizabethan England were the Catholic and Protestant religions. The convictions and beliefs in these different religions were so strong that they led to the executions of many from both religions. In the early 1500s the people of England all practised the Roman Catholic religion. The practises of the Catholic religion were questioned during the Reformation and the beliefs of men such as the German Martin Luther (1483 - 1546) prompted a new religion called Protestantism. The term 'Protestant' was adopted when supporters of Martin Luther formally protested against efforts to limit the spread of Luther's new ideas

However, the people of England were expected to follow the official religion decreed by the reigning Queen or King. Failure to adhere to the 'favoured' religion could often lead to great danger-imprisonment, torture even execution! Adhering to the 'wrong' religion brought risks to personal wealth, freedom and life. Queen Elizabeth established the Church of England (a moderate form of Protestantism) as the official religion of England, with herself as Supreme Governor. James I was raised in Scotland as Protestant, and when Elizabeth died and he became King of England he would have become head of the church of England in his turn. In 1605, two years after James I became King, there was a Catholic plot to blow up parliament while James was there, and install his son Henry as king, with the Catholics in control. The plot failed and the discovery of it fuelled anti-Catholic sentiment in England.

Women in Jacobean England

Women were supposed to be more fragile than men. A man’s role was to be the strong, dominant head of the family and the country. This is perhaps why Lady Macbeth wishes she were a man because as a woman she is too weak and powerless to act and perform murder. Woman had two stereotypes at the time: housewife and seductress. They had no legal rights, no power and were their husbands’ property. On the other hand, women could be seen as a devilish evil and sexually dangerous. They were ruled first by their fathers and then by their husbands. A society dominated by men is called a patriarchy, Women were mothers and care-givers, supposed to be pious and pure and avid follower of religion. They had no say on their own lives or important matters that affected the family and were supposed to be completely against violence of any sort.

Witchcraft in Jacobean England

Up until the 1700s most people in England believed in witches and witchcraft. This way of life was related to Pagan (non-Christian) beliefs, and had been tolerated for many years. But from the mid 1500s religious leaders tried to stamp out these beliefs to make sure that people were following the right religious practices. This led to a period of witch hunting where people were tried and often executed for being witches. This was happening all throughout Europe and America too, and the witch hunts lasted for more than 150 years. So if people behaved in a slightly odd way or were around when bad things happened, they were likely to be accused of being a witch. Suspected witches were burnt at the stake or drowned. Some people took advantage of this panic (hysteria) to remove those that didn’t conform in society. King James I wrote a book called Daemonologie in which he supported and encouraged the trials of witches. He believed the witches were being controlled by the devil.