SPEAKING DE INGLÉS:

MACBETH WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

AUTHOR

William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was an English writer, actor, and poet. He is one of the most
famous authors in history. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and baptized on April 26,
1564. People celebrate his birthday on April 23.
Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway in 1582, and they had three children. He later moved to
London, where he wrote plays and acted in a theater company called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men
(later the King’s Men).
He wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and two long poems. His most famous works include Romeo and
Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. His plays explore love, power, and
human emotions.
Shakespeare retired to his hometown around 1613 and died on April 23, 1616. His works are still
read and performed around the world today.
RELEVANT INFO:
William Shakespeare is important because his works had a huge impact on literature, language,
and culture. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Timeless Stories: Shakespeare’s plays explore universal themes like love, ambition,
jealousy, and power, which people still relate to today.
2. Rich Language: He introduced over 1,700 new words and phrases to the English language,
many of which we still use, like bedazzled, lonely, and break the ice.
3. Influence on Literature: His style and storytelling have inspired countless writers and
artists for over 400 years.
4. Complex Characters: Shakespeare created realistic, deeply human characters with
emotions and flaws, such as Hamlet, Lady Macbeth, and Romeo.
5. Global Legacy: His works have been translated into every major language and are
performed more often than any other playwright’s.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND IMPORTANCE

he historical context of Macbeth is tied to the time when Shakespeare wrote it, around 1606. Here
are the key points:
1. King James I: King James had just become king of England, and Shakespeare wrote
Macbeth partly to impress him. The play supports ideas King James liked, such as the belief
that kings are chosen by God.
 2. Scottish History: The story is based on real events from 11th-century Scotland, but
Shakespeare changed many details to make it more dramatic. The real Macbeth was a strong
king, unlike the one in the play.
3. Witchcraft (brujería): People in Shakespeare’s time feared witches, and King James was
especially interested in them. The witches in the play reflect these beliefs.
4. Gunpowder Plot: In 1605, there was a failed attempt to kill King James. Macbeth shows
the dangers of betraying or killing a king, a theme that was important at the time.
The play reflects the fears and values of Shakespeare’s time, like the importance of order, loyalty,
and the dangers of ambition.

MAIN CHARACTERS
Macbeth:

• A brave Scottish general who becomes consumed by ambition after hearing a prophecy from
three witches. He murders King Duncan to take the throne but becomes paranoid and
ruthless, leading to his downfall.

• Lady Macbeth:

• Macbeth’s wife, who is ambitious and manipulative. She encourages Macbeth to kill
Duncan but later feels guilt for her role in the murders, which drives her to madness.

• The Three Witches:

• Mysterious figures who give Macbeth and Banquo prophecies. They represent fate and
influence Macbeth’s decisions, though they never directly tell him what to do.

• King Duncan:

• The kind and noble king of Scotland. His murder by Macbeth is the first major crime in the
play and sets off the chain of events leading to Macbeth’s ruin.

• Banquo:

• Macbeth’s friend and fellow soldier. The witches predict that Banquo’s descendants will be
kings, which makes Macbeth see him as a threat. Macbeth has Banquo murdered, but
Banquo’s ghost haunts him.

• Macduff:

• A nobleman of Scotland who opposes Macbeth. After Macbeth kills his family, Macduff
becomes determined to bring him down and ultimately kills him in the final battle.

• Malcolm:

• Duncan’s son and the rightful heir to the throne. He flees after his father’s murder but later
returns with an army to overthrow Macbeth and restore order.
 MACBETH PLOT

Act 1: Ambition Awakens

• Three witches tell Macbeth, a brave Scottish general, that he will become king. They also
predict that Banquo’s descendants will be kings.
• Macbeth tells his wife, Lady Macbeth, about the prophecy. She pushes him to kill King
Duncan so he can take the throne.

Act 2: Murder and Guilt

• Macbeth kills Duncan while he is sleeping in Macbeth’s castle.
• Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, flee, fearing for their lives. Macbeth is crowned
king, but he starts feeling uneasy about his position.

Act 3: Paranoia Grows

• Macbeth fears Banquo and his descendants because of the witches’ prophecy. He hires
murderers to kill Banquo and Banquo’s son, Fleance.
• Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. Banquo’s ghost haunts Macbeth at a banquet, making
him even more paranoid.

Act 4: Tyranny and Revenge

• Macbeth visits the witches again. They give him new prophecies:
1. Beware of Macduff.
2. No man born of a woman will harm Macbeth.
3. Macbeth won’t be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to his castle at Dunsinane.
• Believing he is invincible, Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff’s family.
• Macduff, who has fled to England, joins Malcolm to raise an army against Macbeth.

Act 5: Downfall
• Lady Macbeth, overwhelmed by guilt, starts sleepwalking and eventually dies, likely by
suicide.
• Malcolm’s army disguises itself with branches from Birnam Wood, making it look like the
forest is moving.
• Macduff confronts Macbeth and reveals he was born via a Caesarean section (“not born of a
woman”). He kills Macbeth.
• Malcolm becomes king, restoring order to Scotland.
The play explores themes like ambition, power, guilt, and fate, showing how unchecked ambition
can destroy a person.
IMPORTANCE

1. Exploration of Universal Themes

• The play examines timeless themes like ambition, power, guilt, fate, and morality. These
ideas resonate across cultures and eras, making the story relevant even today.

2. Complex Characters
• Shakespeare’s portrayal of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth offers deep psychological insight.
Their inner struggles, ambitions, and guilt make them some of the most fascinating
characters in literature.

3. Mastery of Language
• The play is filled with powerful, memorable lines like "Out, out, brief candle!" and "Is this a
dagger which I see before me?" Shakespeare’s poetic language brings emotion and depth to
the story.

4. Tragic Structure
• Macbeth is a perfect example of a tragic hero’s rise and fall. It follows the classic structure
of tragedy, showing how ambition and flawed decisions lead to destruction.

5. Influence on Culture
• The play has inspired countless adaptations, from modern films to novels and art. Its themes
and characters have shaped how we think about power and its consequences.