Putting the play’s context on stage
One of the startling things about Shakespeare’s play is that although Macbeth is a corrupt and evil character, we feel some sympathy for him by the end of the play. This is because we have access to his innermost thoughts and feelings. We also condemn his actions and accept that he has to die at the end of the play. This is the anti-hero character which is popular in drama and film.
In Shakespeare’s lifetime there was a strong interest in humanism. This is a concern for humanity and the assertion of reason rather than religious faith. Macbeth spurns humanity and we see the kind of dilemmas that everyone faces played out in dramatic form.
Remember that knowing the context gives a better understanding of a play but it doesn’t present a barrier to directorial interpretation – it informs it.