Jacobean Era Socio-Political Events

Socio-political events of the Jacobean period influence the construction of the play due to the unclear meaning of the politics of the Union. This article mentions the idea of England dominating Scotland. This is shown in ‘Scotland’s barbaric impulses need to be contained by England’s civilising forces’. A quote from Macbeth comes from Malcolm’s closing speech of victory, reading ‘My thanes and kinsmen. / Henceforth be earls, the first that ever Scotland / in such an honour named’. This technique of allusion is used to portray the link between Malcolm changing the Scottish tradition of noble titles being thane to earls, the title of the English, to the concept of England dominating Scotland. Similarly, this article also includes a quote from

The Jacobean period influenced these ideas. This article also claims that there should be equality between England and Scotland. This is shown in the article saying, ‘portray the Scot as inferior to the English, encroaching on the property of others, and requiring containment within an appropriate hierarchical scheme’. Another quote from Macbeth is mentioned in this article is of Macbeth publicly crying after murdering Duncan, ‘had I died but an hour before this chance, I had lived a blessed time; for from this instant there’s nothing serious in mortality. All is but toys. Renown and grace is dead.’ This use of dramatic irony shows what Macbeth is really thinking when he kills Duncan as he immediately regrets it, representing that the Scots do care for honour and allegiance due to his conflicted conscience. Similarly, this article also includes a quote from Macbeth in which Banquo asks Macbeth ‘Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear / things that do sound so fair?’ after being told his fate by the three witches. This lack of a joyous response on Macbeth’s part is used to show his genuine respect for Duncan and want for