James I and William Shakespeare's Macbeth

James I and William Shakespeare's Macbeth

In 1606, William Shakespeare was commissioned to write a play for King

James I. The play was to be performed at Hampton court while James I

was entertaining his brother in law king Christian of Denmark.

Shakespeare wrote 'Macbeth' for the occasion. It was not a new story.

Shakespeare found it in 'The history of Scotland' by Raphael

Hollinshead,

but Shakespeare's play is far more than a dramatic rewrite of

historical facts.

Shakespeare made many changes to the original story to ensure two

things. Firstly, that it was suitably adapted so that general

audiences would have appreciated it, that it had an interesting plot

and was generally entertaining. But secondly that it was especially

suited to James I particular tastes and interests, so that he would

find it a 'pleasing play.'

As a play it is very entertaining, not just for king James, but also

for general audiences of his time. This play was written to entertain,

and it does so in a number of ways. 'Macbeth' has a plot that includes

murder, action, tragedy and romance, all of which are exciting and

still appeal to audiences of today.

The play was written very well so that it would be exciting to watch

on stage. Battle scenes, ghosts and apparitions, visions and murder

would look very impressive in a time before special effects. For

example, the scene in which Macbeth and the audience can see the ghost

of Banquo but none of the other characters can. This is a very

entertaining element of the play. It successfully shows Macbeth's

terror and Lady Macbeth's confusion. The audience, who know what is

going on, find the bewilder...

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James I would have found Macbeth pleasing; the entertaining plot with

interesting characters, beautiful language, moral teachings, themes of

particular interest to James both as a man and a king and a

satisfactory ending. In fact nobody can list all of the reasons why

James I would have enjoyed the play, and there may be many more. But

certainly Macbeth would have been, and still is, a very entertaining

play for anyone who watched it. Filled with action, suspense, murder,

mystery and riddles it can not fail to please any audience. James I

would have appreciated the play like any other audience member, but

aspects such as the supernatural, being set in Scotland, having his

ancestor portrayed as a hero and Divine Right of kings included in

Macbeth ensures that James the I would have found it a 'pleasing

play'.