ipl-logo

William Shakespeare Research Paper

1180 Words5 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Importance of banquo in macbeth

Writing is defined as the activity or skill of marking coherent words on paper and composing text. Based on the definition, technically, anyone could become a writer, but why do people write? People write for pleasure because it makes them feel alive, people write for a cause because writing can have a lasting impact, and people write for egoistical reasons. People write because they want to get something out of it whether it is something intangible like fame and remembrance or tangible like funding from a governmental body (Bunting). Politics has been an enormous reason for authors to write, including “the greatest dramatist of all time,” William Shakespeare (William). William Shakespeare was born in April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, United …show more content…

He was frightened but also extremely mesmerized by those subjects, and even considered himself an expert on them. In 1597, he wrote a book titled Daemonologie and it consisted of a section on magic, a section on sorcery, a section on witchcraft, and a small bit on spirits and ghosts (James I and Witchcraft). Shakespeare was aware of King James I’s involvement and obsession with witchcraft and used it to his advantage. Shakespeare repeatedly complimented King James I and his Scottish lineage in his play, Macbeth. The historical Macbeth was from Scotland, as was King James I. King James I was also a Stuart King and the Stuart Kings claim to be descendants from the real Banquo. The real Banquo was not a great and honorable man, unlike how Shakespeare wrote him to be in Macbeth. The character Banquo is presented as a wise, noble, and regal figure that aroused jealousy in many characters, including Macbeth. The real Banquo, that the Stuart Kings claim to be descendants of, never actually existed, he is a mythical character (BBC News). Shakespeare also knew that a passion of King James I was Scripture and Shakespeare made sure to use a plethora of biblical imagery in Macbeth. As a more personal compliment to King James I, Shakespeare referenced witchcraft taken from the book Daemonologie, which was written by King James I himself. King James I also believed himself to be talented and educated in more than one aspect of life. One subject he thought himself to be an expert on was “the evil”, or Scrofula (Shakespeare 76). Scrofula is a form of tuberculosis and he believed he could heal people with his touch. Shakespeare complimented King James I’s achievements another time when he mentioned “two-fold balls and treble scepters,” because it is a reference to his double coronation, once at Scone to become King James VI of Scotland, and once at Westminster to become King

Show More
Related

How Does Shakespeare Present The Supernatural In Macbeth

888 Words | 4 Pages

The play ‘Macbeth’ was written in 1606 by William Shakespeare. The play was written for King James I in the Jacobean era. The supernatural theme is used in this play as a catalyst for action as well as an insight into the characters. The supernatural was a very real worry in the Jacobean era, and the majority of Shakespeare's contemporaries would have feared it. It was an especial worry for King James I as he was paranoid of supernatural powers trying to drown him at sea, as referenced in the play by a witch saying she would "drain him dry as hay" (referring to a sailor).

Read More

How Does Shakespeare Present Religion In Beowulf

870 Words | 4 Pages

Macbeth was written during a time where religion was an important aspect most people’s lives and it was meant to please King James who was on the throne at this point. The main religion during the time Macbeth was written was Christianity and you can see this through Shakespeare's writing. They believed that if you had faith in God, and you

Read More

How Did King James Influence On Macbeth

1186 Words | 5 Pages

Writers use theatrical flattery to please certain groups or viewers of their play, and in the case of Macbeth, Shakespeare uses this form of flattery to please King James I. Having only known one monarch for 39 years of his life, Queen Elizabeth, the arrival of a new monarch would be extremely influential on Shakespeare’s work. Especially since in 1603, three years prior to Shakespeare writing Macbeth, James started to sponsor Shakespeare’s acting company. From James’ royal patronage, the acting company changed from The Lord Chamberlain’s Men to The King’s Men. It is highly likely that in return Shakespeare included certain elements that would please or impress King James in his next play, including the use of witches as talked about above.

Read More

Anger And Guilt In Macbeth

700 Words | 3 Pages

William Shakespeare wrote Macbeth. It is considered one of its most powerful and darkest tragedies; the play dramatizes the psychological and political corrosive effects produced when evil is chosen as a way to satisfy the ambition for power. Macbeth tells a story of crime and punishment mixed with witchcraft. Covered in the deceitful prophecies of the Weird Sisters, Macbeth decides to assassinate his king and take the crown. Aware of the horror to which he surrenders, he forges his terrible destiny and believing himself invincible and eternal.

Read More

Macbeth Vaulting Ambition Analysis

1014 Words | 5 Pages

William Shakespeare’s Macbeth was first performed for King James I of England and VI of Scotland in 1606. James was descended from Banquo’s line, and through which he had become king. Shakespeare told the story of Macbeth with minor alterations to the historical tale; one such change was he portrayed Banquo as innocent and uninvolved in King Duncan’s murder. This left the blame entirely on Macbeth.

Read More

Macbeth Act 4 Scene 1 Analysis

947 Words | 4 Pages

Perhaps, Shakespeare must have experienced it vicariously somewhere or somehow had an own experience. Shakespeare was a brilliant student of human nature; his tragedies gave significance to man 's passions and the consequences when they are out of control. Macbeth is one of his greatest plays ever. It is the only Shakespearean play that’s set in Scotland. Shakespeare wrote this play to entertain and come into the notice of the King James 1 in the

Read More

Elizabethan Superstitions In Macbeth

1828 Words | 8 Pages

Out of all of Shakespeare’s plays, it is interesting that Macbeth is the only one that is not set in Italy, but rather Scotland. In the Elizabethan Era, what most attracted audiences was italian references, so there would be little to no benefit for Shakespeare to write Macbeth revolving around Scottish history. Taking into account that Macbeth was written in 1606 and that at the time the royal in charge was King James I of England, formerly King James the VI of Scotland, it made sense for Shakespeare to appeal to his monarch who originated from Scotland. Writers and artists alike often utilized their works as a means of political motives. Although some of Shakespeare’s contemporaries voiced their unhappiness in this way, Shakespeare’s intent

Read More

Violence In Macbeth's Guilt

1337 Words | 6 Pages

Supernatural elements can be seen in Macbeth through the witches and their unusual powers. The witches appear to be helpful in giving Macbeth his prophecy, but in reality want only to stir up trouble and cause strife throughout the kingdom. Although Macbeth wants the witches to tell him his prophecy, he is also afraid to act on these newly found predictions for fear of the inevitable guilt he will then have to face. Macbeth states that the witches as "Instruments of darkness" in order to explain to readers that even though the witches appear to be helping Macbeth, in reality they are causing more harm than good and creating evil thoughts within the characters minds. Macbeth’s prophecy began his desire for power, which led to his struggle with guilt.

Read More

Macbeth And The Influence Of Witchcraft

1146 Words | 5 Pages

Influence of Witchcraft In Shakespeare’s day witches were not merely a novelty character brought out as a joke around Halloween. It was widely believed that witches were real and that they possessed powers that were considered to be of the devil. This belief in witchcraft eventually led to a widespread panic that was followed by the persecution of witches. Due to this belief in witchcraft at the time Macbeth was written and performed; the tone was already set. Shakespeare used this fear to create suspense within the play and it led to the involvement of the weird sisters and the crazed actions committed by Macbeth and his wife.

Read More

What Is Lady Macbeth's Ambition

1279 Words | 6 Pages

In August 1606, the play Macbeth – written by the ultimate playwright William Shakespeare- was published. Macbeth discusses how murder and greed can be altered to a point where it becomes a person's way of acting and thinking. Lady Macbeth is the leading character in the play of Shakespeare. Her ambitions and power is the main reason for her corruption. She used her position to gain power and stay strong enough to support her husband and lord, Macbeth, however it drove him to evil, causing him to murder and cause distractions.

Read More

Macbeth Disrupts The Great Chain Of Being Analysis

2486 Words | 10 Pages

Explore the ways that Shakespeare presents Macbeth as a character that disrupts the Great Chain of Being. ‘Macbeth’ by Shakespeare was performed in 1606, during King James’ reign. When Shakespeare wrote ‘Macbeth’, witchcraft was a topic of considerable interest and fear, even reaching as high as the new king of England, James I, who had written a book, Demonology, about witches. Elizabethan society may have thought that James I was a weak link in the Great Chain of Being, as he wasn’t directly related to the previous Queen. ‘Macbeth’, was written for the court partly in the response to the Gun Powder Plot of 1605 in order to reinforce the Divine Right of Kings and James I legitimacy to the throne.

Read More

Macbeth Act 2 Scene 1 Soliloquy Analysis

965 Words | 4 Pages

Macbeth is a play written during the 16th century by William Shakespeare. As similar to other plays written by Shakespeare, the play is not totally original. They came from facts and events that are happening during the time it was written (“Background to Macbeth”). Macbeth can be seen as a dark play as it portrays the idea of evilness through characterization and have events like murder happening throughout the story. Throughout the play, Shakespeare inserted various features to make his writing more powerful.

Read More

Morality In Macbeth

1574 Words | 7 Pages

During the Renaissance, witchcraft was highly praised and believed in by many. The Renaissance, “like many European cultures of the period, medieval Scotland maintained a belief in witches, including their ability to make prophecies and to affect the outcome of certain events” (“The Historical Context of Macbeth”). Humankind during the Renaissance believed witches could control one’s outcome; therefore, the witches were able to manipulate the fates of people. Likewise, in Macbeth, Macbeth’s belief in the three witches leads to his impending death. Macbeth was told by the three witches that “the power of man; for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.83).

Read More

Struggle For Power In Macbeth

698 Words | 3 Pages

Capitalizing on the fact that King James despised witches, In Macbeth Shakespeare wrote about three

Read More

Macbeth Soliloquy Analysis

1122 Words | 5 Pages

William Shakespeare was a very famous playwright who was born in the 15th century. He wrote many comedies such as a comedy of errors, xyz, his other famous plays were tragedies including Othello, Julius Caesar and Romeo and Juliet. Macbeth is a play based on a true story and has helped Shakespeare tell his audience in an effective way how one tiny flaw in your behavior can be fatal. Macbeth 's soliloquy in Act 2 scene 1 describes his thoughts before he murders King Duncan. The extract serves as an important element in the play as it shows Macbeth 's feelings of hesitation before he commits the horrendous crime and how that doubt is resolved.

Read More

More about William Shakespeare Research Paper

Related Topics

Open Document