About Shakespeare’s Macbeth (nonfiction text)

Who ascended the throne of England in 1603, marking the middle of Shakespeare's career?

• James VI of Scotland

• Charles I
• Elizabeth I
• Henry VIII

What was the significance of James VI of Scotland becoming James I of England for Shakespeare's works?

• Increased censorship

• Heightened interest in Scottish themes

• Closure of theaters

• Decline in playwriting

How did James's patronage change Shakespeare's company?

• Became the King's Men

• Decreased popularity

• Renamed to the Queen's Men

• Increased government control

What historical material did Shakespeare use for the tragedy Macbeth?

• Roman mythology

• Raphael Holinshed’s history of Scotland

• Greek tragedies

• Anglo-Saxon chronicles

James I was a notorious religious zealot known for executing women for the crime of...

• witchcraft

• adultery

• treason

• espionage

How did the context of James I's beliefs about witchcraft potentially influence Shakespeare's portrayal of witches in Macbeth?

• Increased focus on comedy

• Reduced emphasis on supernatural elements

• Enhanced portrayal of witches

• Elimination of witch characters

What aspects of Scottish history from the eleventh century did Shakespeare find in Holinshed's work?

• Peaceful negotiations

• Spectacle of violence

• Economic prosperity

• Religious harmony

How does Macbeth address themes of violence and witchcraft?

• Downplaying violence for a broader audience

• Ignoring supernatural elements

• Intensifying violence and featuring witches

• Focusing solely on political intrigue

What does the text suggest about Shakespeare's primary intention in writing Macbeth?

• Appealing to Scottish audiences

• Experimenting with new genres

• Mainly intent upon appealing to new interests brought about by James’s kingship

• Creating a romantic comedy

In earlier centuries, what was Macbeth's story considered a powerful study of?

• A comedy of errors

• A tragic hero facing internal conflict

• A political satire

• A historical documentary