King James I
When Queen Elizabeth's rule ended in 1603, she was succeeded to the throne by King James I, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He had ruled Scotland as King James IV since 1581. Discussions of Macbeth have often assumed a significant correspondence between James I's ascension to the throne in 1603 and Shakespeare's composition of Macbeth sometime soon after. The story contains many reflections of James' interests: the family tree of Scottish royalty, the issue of "just" kingship, the threat of regicide, and witchcraft. Shakespeare addressed his monarch's interest in ancestry by including a scene in which the witches magically create an image of King James's ascent to the throne through a family tree traced back to Banquo.
When Queen Elizabeth's rule ended in 1603, she was succeeded to the throne by King James I, the son of Mary, Queen of Scots. He had ruled Scotland as King James IV since 1581. Discussions of Macbeth have often assumed a significant correspondence between James I's ascension to the throne in 1603 and Shakespeare's composition of Macbeth sometime soon after. The story contains many reflections of James' interests: the family tree of Scottish royalty, the issue of "just" kingship, the threat of regicide, and witchcraft. Shakespeare addressed his monarch's interest in ancestry by including a scene in which the witches magically create an image of King James's ascent to the throne through a family tree traced back to Banquo.
Witchcraft
One of King James' greatest passions was the study of witchcraft. In 1597 he wrote "Daemonologie", an influential text in which he contended that witchcraft was real and that its practitioners must be punished. King James also attended trials and examinations regarding witchcraft, including the examination of Dr. Fian, a Scottish schoolmaster who was an alleged witch. The charges levelled against Fian included practicing wicked acts with other witches, possessing an attendant spirit, and making curses against the king.
One of King James' greatest passions was the study of witchcraft. In 1597 he wrote "Daemonologie", an influential text in which he contended that witchcraft was real and that its practitioners must be punished. King James also attended trials and examinations regarding witchcraft, including the examination of Dr. Fian, a Scottish schoolmaster who was an alleged witch. The charges levelled against Fian included practicing wicked acts with other witches, possessing an attendant spirit, and making curses against the king.