Intrigues and Social Consequences in Macbeth and An Inspector Calls

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In a time of political intrigue, Macbeth's ambition leads to ruthless actions while An Inspector Calls delves into the consequences of the Birling family's actions on a young girl's suicide. Themes of ambition, guilt, responsibility, and class differences are explored through complex characters and compelling plots set against turbulent historical contexts.

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Context Written for James I the controversial successor to Elizabeth I. A time of turbulence and political intrigue in Elizabethan England fear of traitors and pretenders to the throne . Plot: Macbeth The play opens as three witches plan a meeting with the Scottish nobleman Macbeth, who at that moment is fighting in a great battle. When the battle is over, Macbeth and his friend Banquo come across the witches who offer them three predictions: that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland, and that Banquo's descendants will become kings. Banquo laughs at the prophecies but Macbeth is excited, especially as soon after their meeting with the witches Macbeth is made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, in return for his bravery in the battle. He writes to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who is as excited as he is. A messenger tells Lady Macbeth that King Duncan is on his way to their castle and she invokes evil spirits to help her slay him. Macbeth is talked into killing Duncan by his wife and stabs him to death. No-one is quite sure who committed this murder and no-one feels safe, but Macbeth is crowned king. Now that Macbeth is king he knows the second prediction from the witches has come true, but he starts to fear the third prediction (that Banquo's descendants will also be kings). Macbeth therefore decides to kill Banquo and his son, but the plan goes wrong - Banquo is killed but his son escapes. Macbeth then thinks he is going mad because he sees Banquo's ghost and receives more predictions from the witches. He starts to become ruthless and kills the family of Macduff, an important lord. Macbeth still thinks he is safe but one by one the witches' prophecies come true, Lady Macbeth cannot stop thinking about Duncan, becomes deranged and dies. A large army marches on Macbeth's castle and Macbeth is killed by Macduff. Quotes Can be seen as a warning that disloyal traitors will fail and be punished. The divine right of kings. James I had a fascination with the supernatural and witches. Women were inferior and subservient to men. Characters Macbeth brave, ambitious, weak, cowardly, easily led, violent, regretful Lady Macbeth ambitious, manipulative, ruthless, calculating, remorseless, guilty, mad. Duncan strong, respected, well loved Banquo- friend, brave, loyal, honest Witches mysterious, supernatural, evil Themes: Ambition The Supernatural/Evil Reality and Appearance Loyalty and Guilt Violence Corruption Femininity and Masculinity Where to look now http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/ english_literature/dramamacbeth/ http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth Mr Bruff Macbeth on Youtube

Plot: An Inspector Calls The Birling family are spending a happy evening celebrating the engagement of Sheila Birling to Gerald Croft - a marriage that will result in the merging of two successful local businesses. Yet, just when everything seems to be going so well, they receive a surprise visit from an Inspector Goole who is investigating the suicide of a young girl. The Inspector interrogates each member of the family in turn and we learn how each can be to blame for her death. Mr Birling: sacks her from the factory Shelia: Has her sacked from the shop. Gerald: uses her as his mistress Mrs Birling: turns her away from her charity Eric: impregnates her (rapes her?) The ending seems to suggest that the Inspector has been a hoax Gerald and the older Birlings are relieved. Eric and Shelia have been touched by the evenings events and are eager to change. Finally, the phone rings a girl has committed suicide. Context: Quotes Set in 1912 before WWI , Class system rigidly in place and women in an inferior position to men. Written and performed in 1945: WWII ending, class system more relaxed, women with greater rights. JB Priestley was a socialist. Strong left wing beliefs. Involved in setting up the labour party who won the election in 1945. JB Priestley strongly believed in the welfare state and that everyone has a social responsibility. Characters: Mr Birling proud, arrogant, selfish, social climbing Mrs Birling snob, prejudiced Shelia- compassionate, guilty, perceptive, curious, wiser Eric- embarrassed and self conscious, guilt, frustration, sense of responsibility and compassion Gerald- attractive, aristocratic, genuine feelings but fails to change. The Inspector: systematic, authoritative, mysterious Themes: Responsibility Class Gender Age Where to look now www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/englis h_literature/dramainspectorcalls/ http://www.sparknotes.com/drama/an- inspector-calls/ Who is the Inspector? Is he a ghost? Goole reminds us of 'ghoul'. Is he the voice of Priestley? Is he the voice of God? Is he the voice of all our consciences? Doddle Mr Bruff - Youtube

Context: Victorian England Plot: Jekyll and Hyde 1. The Story of the Door Enfield tells Utterson about Hyde trampling a girl. 2. Search for Mr Hyde Utterson waits by the door to meet Hyde himself. 3. Dr Jekyll was quite at ease Utterson, concerned about Jekyll s relationship with Hyde, goes to visit his old friend. 4. The Carew Murder Case An old respected politician is murdered by Hyde 5. Incident of the letter Jekyll claims to have a letter written by Hyde. 6. Remarkable Incident of Dr Lanyon Lanyon meets Hyde - mysteriously dies afterwards. 7. Incident at the window Utterson and Enfield see a mysterious transformation when Jekyll stands at the window. 8. The Last Night Poole calls for Utterson s help. Breaking down the door they find a dead Hyde. 9. Dr Lanyon s Narrative Utterson reads Lanyon s letter explaining why he died. 10. Henry Jekyll s full statement of the Case In a document, Jekyll explains what happened. 1859 Charles Darwin Theory of Evolution Many people saw it as an attack on religion. The book's release came at a time when many people saw science and a belief in religion and the supernatural as being at odds with each another. Many Victorians believed that science had become dangerous and was meddling in matters which only God had control over. Closely linked to the Victorians' increasing sense of the conflict between science and religion was the idea that humans have a dual nature. On the one hand, they saw the calm, rational, everyday normality of family life and employment; on the other, fantasies, nightmares, anger and violence. The notorious Jack the Ripper murders occurred in London in 1888. In the minds of the Victorians, they underlined the Jekyll and Hyde duality of human nature, especially as there was discussion about the murderer being highly educated, or even of royal birth. Characters: Where to look now Themes: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/e nglish_literature/prosejekyllhyde Jekyll respectable, wealthy, intelligent, erratic, isolated. Hyde ugly, violent, murderous, primative Utterson rational, curious, calm, respectable Lanyon outspoken, stubborn Enfield kinsman, well known man about town Poole - Loyal https://www.sparknotes.com/lit/jekyll/ https://www.doddlelearn.co.uk/blog/English- set-text-posters

Themes: Themes: LOVE REVENGE RELATIONSHIPS FATE SELF-SACRIFICE Context Characters: Romeo- intelligent, sensitive, impulsive and immature Juliet- young, naive, grows-up quickly Friar Lawrence- civic-minded, moderate Mercutio- kinsman to the Prince, Romeo's best friend The Nurse- Juliet s Nurse, comic character, loves Juliet Tybalt- Juliet;s cousin, killed by Romeo Capulet- Lord Capulet, Juliet s father LadyCapulet-Capulet s wife and Juliet s mother, married young Montague- Lord Montague, Romeo s father Lady Montague- Romeos mother, dies of grief when he is exiled Paris- Juliet s suitor, who Capulet wants her to marry Benvolio- Romeo cousin and friend Prince Escalus- Mayor of the city Where to look now http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/ romeojuliet/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zxxg9qt http://www.shmoop.com/romeo-and-juliet/ http://mrbruff.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Mr-Bruffs- Guide-to-Romeo-and-Juliet-eBook-Sample.pdf