Purpose

King James I

One of the main reasons Shakespeare wrote Macbeth is as a tribute to King James I of England. Macbeth contains numerous references to him including:

• Macbeth being set in Scotland
  (King James I was from Scotland)
• Supernatural elements
  (Things the king was fond of)
• Witchcraft which is depicted as evil
  (The king executed many women as witches)
• Assassination which is punished
  (Assassination was one of King James I's fears)

Furthermore, Shakespeare renamed his acting company from the Lord Chamberlain's Men to the King's Men to honor King James I.

Shakespeare's acting company performing for the Queen Elizabeth I, the English Monarch before James I.

What did Shakespeare Want?

Shakespeare wanted to keep the patronage from King James I of England for his acting company the King's Men. By keeping the King's favor through references in plays like Macbeth, Shakespeare hoped the King would continue to fund his acting company.