WIXLIB

Macbeth: William ShakespeareThe ContextAre my actionsdisrupting ‘TheGreat Chain ofBeing’?Whichcircumstancesled to my rise inpower?Why did I followthe witchesinstead of myconscience?What would theaudienceexpect from meas a king?Would KingJames Ienjoyed mydownfall?How would atypical hero beexpected tobehave?Could differentmembers of theaudience view mydecisions differently?

‘Questions of the Day’By the end of this lesson, you shouldbe able to answer the followingquestions:QOTD1: What is context?QOTD2: What context is relevant when analysing ‘Macbeth’?QOTD3: How do I discuss context in an exam answer?

What is context?MACBETH

Which of the following is a definition of theword ‘context’? Write the correct definition.Context is a synonym of history – itmeans to look back at what happenedContext helps us to understand thecircumstances of something that happensContext is related to thestructure of an entire textContext can be defined as the comparisonof two or more texts by the same writerContext is when someone collectsa range of evidence for analysis

Which of the following is a definition of theword ‘context’? Write the correct definition.Context is a synonym of history – itmeans to look back at what happenedContext helps us to understand thecircumstances of something that happensContext is related to thestructure of an entire textContext can be defined as the comparisonof two or more texts by the same writerContext is when someone collectsa range of evidence for analysis

WHAT THE EXAMINERS SAY

This is what AQA would like to see fromstudents that get the highest grades!Level 6Critical, exploratory, conceptualisedresponse to task and whole textConvincing,Judicious use of precise references to supportcriticalanalysis and interpretation(s)explorationAnalysis of writer’s methods with subjectterminology used judiciously26–30 marksExploration of effects of writer’s methods tocreate meaningsExploration of ideas/perspectives/contextualfactors shown by specific, detailed linksbetween context/text/task

This is how AQA would mark the workof students in terms of context Level 6ContextExploration of ideas/perspectives/contextualfactors shown by specific, detailed links betweencontext/text/taskLevel 5ContextThoughtful consideration of ideas/perspectives/contextual factors shown by examination ofdetailed links between context/text/taskLevel 4ContextClear understanding of ideas/perspectives/contextual factors shown by specific linksbetween context/text/taskLevel 3ContextSome understanding of implicit ideas/perspectives/contextual factors shown by linksbetween context/text/taskLevel 2ContextSome awareness of implicit ideas/contextualfactorsLevel 1ContextSimple comment on explicit ideas/contextualfactors

“The idea of context as a relationshipbetween the text and the reader remains arelevant way of considering context.” AQA“Demonstrate understanding of context through the textitself rather than ‘bolting-on’ social and historical factorsfrom the period in which the text was written.” AQA“The mark scheme highlights the needfor students to relate their commentson context to the text.” AQA“Avoid making generalised commentsabout ‘all people in that time’,‘everyone believed in’, and so on.” AQA

The growingappreciation that contextmeans exploring theideas of the text inrelation to the questionbeing asked hasimproved the fluencyand assurance ofresponses.Some students areincluding unnecessarybiographical informationand historical detail,hindering their progress upthe levels in the markscheme.Some students are citingtheories, such as Marxistand feminist. This can beself-penalising if thecitation doesn’t link to thetask and further thestudent’s interpretation.

What context isrelevant whenanalysing‘Macbeth’?MACBETH

SOCIALHISTORICALBIOGRAPHICALTEXTUAL

SOCIAL‘The Great Chain of Being’It was believed that God had setout an order for everything in theuniverse. This was a social orderwhere God chose where youbelonged in the chain. From Godat the top to plants and minerals atthe bottom, this was seen as thenatural order.Answer the questions below afterreading the social context on theleft.1. What is ‘The Great Chain ofBeing’?2. Does it exist in the play‘Macbeth’?This order was also related to spirits, 3. Is there anyone or anything thatand so humans were seen as in thedisrupts this in the play?middle of the chain. The human4. Are there any moments in theorder was therefore ordered, fromplay that seem relevant to TheKings and Queens at the top toGreat Chain of Being?peasants at the bottom.

HISTORICALKing James I Play was staged during theJacobean era (when KingJames I was the king of England)The ‘Gunpowder Plot’ aimed tokill King James I – he feltvulnerable as a kingMany questioned his legitimacyto be the king – he was the firstking to reign over the whole ofthe British IslesHe was a patron forShakespeare’s theatrecompany, meaning he wouldhave influenced the playHe tried to prove witchcraftexisted and even wrote a bookabout it (Daemonologie)Answer the questions below afterreading the historical context onthe left.1. Are there any similaritiesbetween King James I andMacbeth?2. What messages and ideas fromthe play would have pleasedKing James I?3. What would King James I havefelt about the Three Witches?4. Are there any moments fromthe play where it might beuseful to discuss King James I?

BIOGRAPHICALWilliam Shakespeare Some of the most dominantthemes in his plays were war,love, madness and powerHis early plays were mainlycomedies and histories, beforemoving into the 17th Century bywriting tragedies: Romeo andJuliet, Hamlet, Othello and KingLearOften used blank verse in hisplays (unrhymed lines butfollowing a pattern of syllablesper line) – this was almostalways in iambic pentameter(five pairs of syllables per line,where every second syllablewould be stressed)Answer the questions below afterreading the biographical contexton the left.1. Does the play ‘Macbeth’ seemto link with his other plays interms of the dominant themesin his work?2. Why is ‘Macbeth’ seen as atragedy and not a comedy?3. What do you think thecharacters Macbeth, Othello,King Lear and Hamlet all havein common?4. Why do you think Shakespearewanted to write in blank verse?

TEXTUALMacbeth – The PlayThis is not about the externalcontexts of the play (Shakespeareas a playwright, King James I, etc.)– textual contexts are in the play.Answer the questions below aboutsome of the textual contexts in theplay:1. What can be argued as themain catalyst for Macbeth’sdesire to become king?2. Would the character ofMacbeth be classed as a hero,a tragic hero or a villain?For this, you will need to discuss the3. Why would different membersplay itself: what led to keyof the audience viewsituations in the play and how theyMacbeth’s decisions in differentinfluence other moments ways?4. Why does Macbeth choose tohave Banquo murdered?Remember – context means thecircumstances that lead tosomething happening and help usto understood why it happens.

How do I discusscontext in anexam answer?MACBETH

Which of the following uses the word ‘context’correctly in a sentence? Write the correct ones.In the context of Macbeth’s actions throughout the play,we are perhaps more sympathetic to Lady Macbeth.An audience in a modern context may view LadyMacbeth’s character differently to an audience of theJacobean era when Macbeth was staged as a play.It is relevant to context Macbeth with other plays byShakespeare, such as ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Othello’.Shakespeare’s close friendship with King James I providescontext for the way in which Macbeth is portrayed.Shakespeare uses context as a language feature todescribe the inevitable downfall of power in the play.

Which of the following uses the word ‘context’correctly in a sentence? Write the correct ones.In the context of Macbeth’s actions throughout the play,we are perhaps more sympathetic to Lady Macbeth.An audience in a modern context may view LadyMacbeth’s character differently to an audience of theJacobean era when Macbeth was staged as a play.It is relevant to context Macbeth with other plays byShakespeare, such as ‘Hamlet’ and ‘Othello’.Shakespeare’s close friendship with King James I providescontext for the way in which Macbeth is portrayed.Shakespeare uses context as a language feature todescribe the inevitable downfall of power in the play.

FINAL TIPS ABOUT CONTEXTONLY IF IT IS RELEVANTDISCUSS CONTEXT IN THE PLAYDISCUSS THE EXTERNAL CONTEXTSEXPLAIN WHY IT IS RELEVANT

PracticeQuestionMACBETH

Read the followingextract fromAct 3, Scene 1and answer thecolouredquestions.In this scene,Macbeth is aloneon stage. He isnow king andthinking about thewitches, theirprophecies andBanquo.He chid the sistersWhen first they put the name of king upon meAnd bade them speak to him. Then, prophetlike,They hailed him father to a line of kings.Upon my head they placed a fruitless crownAnd put a barren scepter in my grip,Thence to be wrenched with an unlineal hand,No son of mine succeeding. If ’t be so,For Banquo’s issue have I filed my mind;For them the gracious Duncan have I murdered;Put rancors in the vessel of my peaceOnly for them; and mine eternal jewelGiven to the common enemy of man,To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings!Rather than so, come fate into the list,And champion me to th' utterance.How does Shakespeare present ambition in this scene?Which evidence from this scene is relevant to your argument?What methods have been used by Shakespeare in this scene?What does the evidence suggest about ambition in this scene?What context is relevant when considering this scene and why?

What were thefactors in mydecision to killBanquo?You should now be able to answerthe ‘Questions of the Day’!What would theaudienceexpect from meas a king?QOTD1:WhichWhat is context?circumstancesled to myrise contextinQOTD2:Whatpower?is relevant whenWould theaudience besatisfied withmy downfall?How would atypical hero betoanalysingexpectedMacbeth?behave?QOTD3: How do I discuss context in an exam answer?Why did I followthe witchesinstead of myconscience?Could differentmembers of theaudience view mydecisions differently?

we are perhaps more sympathetic to Lady Macbeth. An audience in a modern context may view Lady Macbeth’s character differently to an audience of the Jacobean era when Macbeth was staged as a play. It is relevant to context Macbeth with ot