The First Staging of Shakespeare's Macbeth
             William Shakespeare's first production of Macbeth was performed at the Old Globe Theatre in 1606. At the time James I was the king of Great Britain and Scotland. In 1606 his brother-in-law Christian IV visited King James. Many scholars suggest that Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in honor if Christian's visit. The connection between King James I and Macbeth can be seen in many elements of the script. First, Banquo's character is portrayed as an honest and strongman. He was to have been a descendent of the king. Second it believed that Shakespeare added witchcraft to the plot only to please the king (Asimov 1). Some scholars argue that Shakespeare first presented Macbeth in front of the king of Denmark at Hampton Court (Kay 318). But, there is little evidence to support that theory. The King probably went to the Old Globe Theatre to see Macbeth.
             Few specifics are known about the original Globe Theatre. It is believed to have been eight sided. It was an outside theatre that took on a round appearance and stood three stories high. The Globe theatre had a platform stage where the audience sat on three sides. It was similar to a modern day thrust theater. The original Globe theatre burned down in 1613. The thatch roofing and plaster building caught on fire during a performance if Henry XII. Most of the evidence left of the globe theatre is found in Shakespeare stage directions of his plays produced at this theatre. It is believed that the stage had four trap doors. Three smaller ones that the actor was able to walk up to and a larger one that required machine help. It was in these trap doors that the witches came out of, each having their own door. The cauldron was raised and lowered with smoky effects. This information is supported by the line that Macbeth speaks " Why sinks that cauldron" (Nagler 23). It questionable if the center stage platfor...