Religious Themes in Macbeth Essay - 1416 Words

William Shakespeare wrote the play Macbeth in approximately 1606. The play is a tragedy and this can be often identified before we have even read the play. The title â€Å"Macbeth† alone suggests the genre of the play is a tragedy as it is the name of a character. Life in Shakespeare’s time was very religious and the play was written in order to please King James I who was on the throne at this point. The idea of the theme of religion and witchcraft fitting into the play was also to please King James I as he was interested in witchcraft. The majority of people living in Shakespeare’s time were Christians and they believed that if you lived a good life, you would go to Heaven and if you were bad in life, you would go to Hell. At the time of the†¦show more content†¦The idea of thunder and lightning could also add to my point of planning something evil as the dark, stormy weather could be associated with evil. The fact that the witches are making a plan co uld further suggest something evil is going on as witches are also considered as dark, evil characters. The three witches end the scene in a very unusual way which once again shows their unusual behavior and evil. ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air.’ The effect of ‘Fair is foul’ suggests their evil as they believe that being fair and equal is foul and is horrible. The three witches also believe that ‘foul is fair’ which once again suggests further evil as they believe foul doings is fair. I think the audience of today will still be engaged although they have different beliefs because they will have different views on the play and this could help a director of a different culture. In Act 1, Scene 1, I would cast the witches creating curiosity, I would have them hand in hand walking round in a circle to show that they have a great relationship. The witches in the past have been shown as many different ages and looked either the same or completely different. There is also a possibility that the witches are a figment of Macbeth’s imagination as we know from the text that the witches physically can’t force Macbeth to kill Duncan butShow MoreRelatedEssay on Tension in Act 2 Scene 2 of William Shakespeares Macbeth1620 Words   |  7 PagesTension in Act 2 Scene 2 of William Shakespeares Macbeth Macbeth was written in1605; this was a period where there was a great interest in witchcraft and the supernatural. Many people including James I were scared and confused by ideas of the supernatural. 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