Examples Of Contextual Setting In Macbeth

Through extensive study and comparison it is established that tragedy is a textual theme that has evolved throughout the different contextual settings. In writing, characters frequently go up against difficulties and because of their misguided judgments of reality these difficulties are often complicated by external factors which in the end lead to the inescapable catastrophe, this is one point of tragedy that has always remained the same regardless of contextual setting. Different contextual settings did have differing understandings as to what tragedy meant to them. An example of this is during Shakespeare’s life, where there was an intense fascination with the supernatural. An example of this was King James I and his self-exclaimed expertise in the subject. The fear that the supernatural could potentially manipulate one’s actions and thoughts frightened the public, this notion was explored in Macbeth

An example of this was King James I and his self-proclaimed expertise in the subject. As such the supernatural can be considered an important contextual theme of the time. Given the lack of scientific understanding during the early 17th century, the supernatural was a common explanation that they used to explain things they otherwise wouldn’t be able to. The notion that supernatural forces was capable of influencing ones thoughts and actions to such an extent as shown in Macbeth was certainly a feared notion at the time. Disruption of the Great Chain of Being, killing the king, these were all acts which were thought of as taboo. The religious controversy featured in Macbeth also incorporated the question of pre-destination and free will. Was Macbeth’s fate predetermined or did Macbeth determine his own fate in the full exercise of free will? The idea that everything is predestined as such can be linked back to the strong religious beliefs of the citizens of the