How Did King James Influence Shakespeare

One of the many timeless plays by William Shakespeare is Macbeth, a tragedy written in 1606, shortly after the attempted treasonous assassination of James 1, the current King of England at the time. James 1 was disliked due to his strive to unite England, and the place in which Shakespeare’s work took place, Scotland. Enkindled by these recent events, Macbeth, the protagonist, experiences power struggles in his relationships with other characters, which prove to be crucial to the outcome of the play. It is his relationships with Banquo, a fellow soldier; the Apparitions produced by the Witches, and Macduff, the Thane of Fife, that most significantly portray his internal strife.

Authors and playwrights are often influenced by the constantly evolving society and culture around them. William Shakespeare is no exception. Being born during the Elizabethan era, Shakespeare grew up during the pinnacle of the English Renaissance and was exposed to the heightened flourish of new types of English art, literature, music, and theatre. Under Elizabeth I, English theatre became oriented towards the upper classes despite all the social classes saw the same play, they even included costume color-coding that reflected the social class of the characters. Shakespeare’s theatrical style developed during this era and when King James I became king, his style was again greatly influenced. Some of Shakespeare’s most prominent plays were written during this time and they remain well known in the literary community. In particular, his play Macbeth is widely discussed because it brings a wide array of questions with it including: What is Shakespeare trying to say about the political climate during his time and why? By reading Shakespeare’s Macbeth with a New Historicism criticism, the question can be explored and answered.

‘Macbeth’ a Scottish play known as one of Shakespeare’s best plays was written in 1611 by William Shakespeare, during that time King James the 1st was the king of Scotland, the Jacobean times was a time where people had a fascination with witches and witchcraft, ‘Daemonolgie’ was a book written by King James the 1st himself, this was about ways to spot a witch, which intrigued people. Since ‘Macbeth’ has a Scottish theme Shakespeare may have written this play to please King James since there is references to Banquo which is a direct descendant of King James, also it is said that Banquo wasn’t a very nice man but Shakespeare presents him as very loyal and kind person

Macbeth is a tragedy written by Shakespeare roughly between the years 1603 and 1606. It was a play written following the death of Queen Elizabeth. The king at the time - James I of England/King James VI of Scotland was known to be a big supporter of theatre, witchcraft and demonology. Shakespeare and his associates soon into their career became known as the King’s men. The Kings ancestry was traced back to Banquo, a character from the play.

Many people knew who William Shakespeare was, but not everyone knew how is life was in the Elizabethan era. He wrote poems and playwrights that some people liked and others disliked. Many things in the Elizabethan era encouraged and discouraged Shakespeare's writings.

The tragedy of Macbeth, “darker and more cynical” (BBC-Higher Bitesize English -Background: Revision 1), written during the Jacobean period, reflected the insecurities of the time for the many prosecutions made by James. The idea of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's conspiracy is said to be inspired from the Gunpowder Plot when "Guy Fawkes and his men tried to blow up James and his parliament in 1605" (BBC-Higher Bitesize English -Background: Revision 2). This plot resulted in strict penalties on Roman Catholics and therefore created a feeling of terror among the population. It is also said that Shakespeare included Banquo in Macbeth in honor of the Stuarts:

William Shakespeare, the most famous of all English writers, has written many works. Shakespeare's life has very much to do with the style of his writing as his stories are from his past experiences. In a very fascinating way, he had the ability to translate the issues of his own time into universal themes. Shakespeare was of interest with his controversial. He was a common phenomenon in his day, as he was part of a theatrical world.

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of several countries: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. The unification of these countries began in 1603, when a Scottish king claimed the English throne. Just 39 years prior to this, William Shakespeare, one of the world’s most widely known dramatists and poets, was born in 1564. Throughout his lifetime, he produced numerous works that still remain significant today. The Scottish background, political rule, and supernatural interests of James I, King of England influenced William Shakespeare’s tragic play, Macbeth.

Shakespeare’s ideas towards kingship can be seen throughout the play. He shows that a king should be chosen by divine right and shows the attributes of what a good king should be.

‘Macbeth’ is a play by William Shakespeare that shows a protagonist going from bad to worse throughout the play. Shakespeare wrote this play, taking in mind current affairs at the time of 1603-1606. This is the time when a Scottish king, James I was given the English crown. This king was obsessed with witches, so Shakespeare brought this theme strongly into the play. It also brings the theme of treachery towards the King. This pleased King James and also pleased him about showing the line of Stuart Kings, James descendants, in Act 4, Scene 1.

William Shakespeare is known for writing his famous plays and sonnets all around the world, but what exactly inspired him to write such works of literature? When it comes to Shakepeare’s writings, it is important to consider the historic content of the work. Shakespeare wrote all of his plays and sonnets after the Rennassance took place, which was a movement that consisted of many cultural changes and the manifestation of different ideas towards religion and even God himself. Another event that was taking place while Shakespeare commence his writings, was the rule of Queen Elizabeth I in England. By this time the structure of the government was organized differently than how it is today. In England, there used to be a hierarchy that consisted of a King and his supporters known as the nobles. These particular system is portrayed throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare’s play, leaving many wondering if there was a specific reason Shakespeare does that.

Shakespeare begins his historical references with the use of well-known historical characters. Two of the play’s main characters are two rivaling Scottish kings, Duncan I and Macbeth. Shakespeare does an excellent job in using contrasts of the actual kings, in The Tragedy of Macbeth. Shakespeare’s Duncan is

good as Jeffrey! Then in 1590 he wrote his first play called Henry VI. He then worked at the London theater world where he wrote Julius Caesar. Fast forward to 1599 where he opened up the Globe Theatre. He committed his life to the Globe Theatre and the only way he knew to express his feelings and believes was by acting and theater. There he performed Macbeth and Hamlet. He also performed his poetry. William actually invented words for his poetry. People thought of him as the best British writer.

Shakespeare’s plays, Henry IV, Part 1 (1H4) and Macbeth (Mac.), support the Tudor myth through the representation of monarchy and the theme of a king’s divinity. From a historical perspective, Shakespeare portrays Henry IV and his descendants as unworthy of kingship as Henry IV disrupts the divine right of kings and thus instigates the Tudor myth. This representation is implemented in order to appease Elizabeth I through affirming her sanctioned appointment to the throne. The depiction of kingship within Macbeth is similar as the monarch is demonstrated as disrupting the divine right of kings through treason and regicide. However, Shakespeare’s tragedy does so in order to attest to James I of Britain’s maintenance of the divine right of kings. This is achieved primarily through the demonstrated polarity between Macbeth the tyrant and James, the king of England.

Ten days after Scotland’s King James VI was crowned King James I of England, he insisted William Shakespear’s troupe were granted a royal patent and he changed their name to the King’s Men. In 1603 shortly after the King’s coronation England experienced the worst outbreak of the plague in decades. However the King’s Men continued to work even when all other theaters were closed as a result of the widespread devistation (Dickson). To show appreciation for all the King had done Shakespeare attempted to please King James I by appealing to his interest in God and the Bible, interest in threat of witchcraft and also showing the importance of support and respect to Kings.