Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth
Shakespeare’s Macbeth has many supernatural actions. Although all of supernatural do
not have exactly same role in the play, the main purposes of supernatural are to attract
the attention from audience [manipulation], to foreshadow future events, to show the
characteristics of individual, and to connect the idea with theme. In the play, the
supernatural occurs: witchesí appearance throughout the story, the strange behavior of
Macbeth after the murderer of King Duncan, the situation of nature in Scotland,
appearance of Banquoís ghost and imagination of dagger which was flying in the air.
Firstly, the story starts with weird sistersí conversation under strong thunder and
lightning. It is very effective way to attract the attention from audience: First Witch
says with scary voice, "When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain
?" (I, i, 1-2) The very first scene is not only attractive, but also there is an important
clue for the things to be happened in the future [foreshadowing]. We learn that there is
something going to happen with Macbeth ñ Macbeth wins for his life, but he also is going
to lose for his life: "There to meet with Macbeth" (I, i, 7) "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (I,
i, 11)The speech of Witches also contains a theme. "When one wins, one must lose" is a
possible theme that can be taken from the speech: "When the battle is lost and won" (I,
i, 4) The witches continue appearing throughout the story to give us the excitement, hint
and theme.
Secondly, Macbeth loses his mind after the killing of King Duncan. Is it attractive ? By
considering the situation, it can be said that it is attractive ñ When he reenters into the
play after killing of Duncan, he is a completely different man, like a stone. We must be
surprised that if Macbeth is standing up with bloody face, bloody swords in his hands
and talks something that does not make senses at all: "Why did you bring these daggers
from the place ?" (II, ii, 48) It also shows characteristics of Macbeth. Macbeth can easily
fall into a confusion that he cannot recognize.
Thirdly, later in the story, Macbeth sees the Ghost of Banquo and the dagger in the air.
However, the Ghost and dagger are only visible to Macbeth, and no one else is able to
see them. They are just likely the imaginations of Macbeth. "Were the gracíd person of
Banquo present" "His absence sir" (III, iv, 40, 44)The scene creates the suspense ñ it is
attractive. We see that something is going to happen to Macbeth, but what is really
going to happen ? The supernatural things are not only questioning and attracting the
audiences, but also it has the answers to the audience. The supernatural things appeared
in the play foreshadow the future. From the point of the Ghost and dagger that Macbeth
sees and as far as the speech of Witches [Act I, scene i - Act I scene ii ] in the beginning
of the story, we can consider that probably Macbeth will be killed. Moreover, the
incidents give us a clue of characteristics of Macbeth ñ again, we see that he is mentally
ill, he gets the confusion, and cannot recognize himself, and the reason for all of this is
his own action.
In conclusion, the supernatural things in the play have many roles. Shakespeare’s use of
supernatural to a plot is commendable. They are attractive, foreshadow the story, show
the character, and connect to the themes. Without the supernatural, the story
"Macbeth" does not exist.
Partner sites: Bulldog, Study Spanish in Mexico, and The Great Gatsby