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• During whose reign was Macbeth written?

  James I
• What is the time under James I known as?

  The Jacobean era
• In what year did James I succeed Elizabeth I?

  1603
• In what year was Macbeth written?

  1606
• Why can Macbeth be viewed as a play to flatter James I?

  Shakespeare wanted to remain a favourite of the new king
• Since what year had James I been King of Scotland?

  1567
• Why is Macbeth set in Scotland?

  James I had been King of Scotland
• From whom did James I believe he was descended?

  A medieval thane called Banquo
• What characteristics does Shakespeare give to Banquo in the play?

  Brave, loyal and conscientious
• What was one effect of Shakespeare portraying Banquo as brave, loyal and conscientious?

  Flattering his new king
• Besides flattery, what other purpose might Shakespeare have had in writing Macbeth?

  Legitimising James’s rule
• What three nations did James I rule over?

  England, Scotland and Ireland
• What was James I's aim regarding the three nations he ruled?

  To unify the three nations into “Great Britain”
• How does Malcolm unifying lords and thanes reflect James I's aim?

  It shows unification of England and Scotland
• How does Macbeth's rule contrast with James I's aim for Great Britain?

  Macbeth is seen as creating division
• What was the most serious plot against James I?

  The Gunpowder Plot of 1605
• What kind of acts were the plots to kill James I?

  Acts of treason
• What is the most serious act of treason included in Macbeth?

  The regicide of King Duncan
• What happens to those who commit treason in Macbeth?

  They all have terrible consequences
• How might the consequences of treason in Macbeth appeal to James I?

  Presenting a warning to any potential traitors
• What book did James I write that set out his belief in the Divine Right of Kings?

  Basilikon Doron
• What was the belief in the Divine Right of Kings?

  Kings are chosen by God
• According to the Divine Right of Kings, who do rulers represent?

  Representatives of God on Earth
• What consequences would there be for overthrowing a king with Divine Right?

  Religious consequences
• What does Shakespeare suggest will happen to those plotting against a king?

  End up in Hell
• What was a widespread belief in Jacobean England?

  Belief in witches
• How did James I involve himself in witch trials?

  He attended and supervised torture
• What was the name of the book James I wrote about witches?

  Daemonologie
• What did James I believe should happen to witches?

  They should be executed
• What was the effect of Shakespeare including witches in Macbeth?

  Appealing to James I’s fascination
• What are the witches in Macbeth called?

  Weird sisters
• How does Shakespeare present the witches in Macbeth?

  Plotting to commit evil acts
• What actions are the witches seen performing in Macbeth?

  Making evil spells
• What type of disturbances do the witches cause?

  Numerous natural disturbances
• What was the punishment for being a witch in Jacobean England?

  Death
• What was outlawed in relation to witches in Jacobean England?

  Being associated with witches
• How would a Jacobean audience have viewed witches?

  Fearful and distrustful
• How does Macbeth being tempted by witches affect the audience?

  Made the witches seem even more terrifying
• What is the main cause of evil in Macbeth?

  The witches
• How are the witches presented in relation to Malcolm?

  Disruptive forces set against goodness