Ms. Ralston Sets the Scene: Macbeth

Objectives

After reading this ebook you will be able to…

Imagine the geographical and cultural landscape of 11th century Scotland.

Understand the origin of the Macbeth myth, as fictionalization of a true event.

Integrate new content knowledge to draft a set design for Macbeth.

11th Century Scotland

Macbeth is set during the 11th century in Scotland, in the northernmost region of what is now the United Kingdom. When the play is set, Scotland was a separate country, although its proximity to England led to many struggles over who would rule the area.

Due to its far northern location, Scotland is often dark, dreary, and damp – the perfect setting for a play about evil deeds done under the cover of darkness.

Setting: Macbeth. Retrieved from https://www.sparknotes.com/

Life in a Medieval Castle

Over the course of the play, Macbeth moves from his castle in Inverness to the royal palace in Dunsinane. What would life be like in a medieval castle?

Cahir Castle in Ireland was built in 1142, about a hundreds years after the setting of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. This castle is one of the most well preserved from its time period.

The “Real” Macbeth

Scotland in the 11th century was much different to the one we know today, made up of a patchwork of loosely connected kingdoms. We do not know a lot about the real Macbeth, who lived from 1005-1057. But what records we have suggest his rise to the throne, while quite different to Shakespeare’s tragedy, was no less bloody. We find a man whose ambition drove him to become ruler of the kingdom of Moray and then the whole of Scotland — a feat achieved over the slain bodies of his enemies. 

Barnes-Brown, A. The Real Macbeth's Bloody Rise. August 16, 2018. Retrieved from https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/people-politics/blackbeard-king-of-the-pirates/

Set the Stage

In the history of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there have been a plethora of stage designs meant to invoke the historic context we’ve just explored.

Follow-up Activity:

Look at the following photos which includes previous set designs used for productions of Macbeth. Consider the historical context which is meant to inspire these stages.

Draw out your own set design for a production of Macbeth. Feel free to get creative, just be sure you have a reason for all your artistic decisions! We will share these drawings in class on Monday.