Macbeth

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Recommended: How did the witches prophecies affect macbeth

The supernatural plays an important role in Macbeth and supports the plot. From the floating dagger to Banquo's ghost, the supernatural is greatly responsible for every dark moment in the play. Supernatural experiences is what kept the play going and entertaining in my mind. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are propelled into killing because of the supernatural or them making it happen. The supernatural was scary at the time and the play was risky because of the witches, but doing it made the play even better.
According to Susan Smith from enotes.com, "The supernatural is something we fear but are intrigued by." In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the supernatural is how Macbeth becomes into power. It seems as being Thane of Cawdor is not enough for Macbeth and he needs more. Lady Macbeth plays a woman who has power over her husband, she does not "wear the pants" in the relationship, but merely helps him make decisions she has already made herself. For example, when he writes her the letter of the witches prophecy, she simply persuades him into making it come true themselves.
When we read in class about the three apparitions, it gave me a sense that the witches messed with his head a little. The first apparition, being Macbeth's own head cut off almost confirms Macbeth's fears of Macduff later killing him. Then comes the second, a bloody child tells Macbeth that he can not be killed by no man born of woman. According to Emily Schmidt from humanities360.com, "The second apparition puts a chip on Macbeth's shoulders and puts him into a situation where most would think, I am unstoppable, I must be king." The third apparition is a child with a crown which symbolized Malcolm, Duncan's son which gives Macbeth a sense of fear.
After the prophecies,...

... middle of paper ...

...and which says Macbeth won't be defeated until Great Birnamwood to High Dunsinane Hill comes against him.
A play on words is what kills Macbeth, because in a fight in the end of the play, Macduff says he was cut from his mother's womb, not born. Without the witches, ghost, apparitions, it would've been useless because even readers today need motivation to read. The supernatural is our motivation to keep reading Macbeth.

Works Cited

Bai, Ronnie. Schmidt, Emily. "Macbeth, Shakespeare, and the Supernatural." humanitites360.com, 27 May 2012. 15 Feb. 2014.
Chadpuri, Ray. "Supernatural Experiences and elements in Macbeth" academia.edu, 12 December 2010. Feb. 15 2014.
Duff, Jillian. "Supernatural forces in Macbeth." novelguide.com, 10 Feb. 2011. 16 Feb. 2014
Smith, Susan. "To What Extent Does The Supernatural Lead Macbeth to." Enotes.com, 20 Sep. 2011. 16 Feb. 2014.

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