Dark Academia

Episode 27: The Curse of The Scottish Play

Allie Dellicarri & Nicki Nesi

Ever wondered why you should never say the word "Macbeth" in a theater? What would happen if you did? Prof. Allie takes us through the curse of The Scottish Play. How did the curse begin and how has it effected performers and audience members alike?

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*All opinions stated are our own.*

Sources used in this episode:

“Did Chris Rock suffer the curse of Macbeth at the Oscars?” The Independent, 29 March 2022, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/chris-rock-macbeth-curse-will-smith-b2046691.html. Accessed 27 September 2024.

Gillinson, Miriam. “Is the word 'Macbeth' really cursed? | Culture.” The Guardian, 13 July 2020, https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/jul/13/is-the-word-macbeth-really-cursed. Accessed 27 September 2024.

“The Macbeth Superstition.” Bell Shakespeare, https://www.bellshakespeare.com.au/the-macbeth-superstition. Accessed 27 September 2024.

“Macbeth superstitions: History and removal of Scottish Curse.” Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 March 2019, https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/theater/2019/03/27/macbeth-superstitions-history-and-removal-scottish-curse/3288680002/. Accessed 27 September 2024.

McBean, Angus. “The Curse of the Scottish Play | Macbeth.” Royal Shakespeare Company, https://www.rsc.org.uk/macbeth/about-the-play/the-scottish-play. Accessed 27 September 2024.

Schumm, Laura. Why do actors avoid the word “Macbeth”?, 9 April 2014, https://www.history.com/news/why-do-actors-avoid-the-word-macbeth. Accessed 27 September 2024.