The Supernatural Elements Displayed in The Tragedy of Macbeth

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Recommended: Analysis of Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Writers of the Renaissance often wrote about supernatural elements. William Shakespeare is a writer during this period, and he is also the author of The Tragedy of Macbeth. The supernatural elements are the key contributors to the play. They add fear and mystery to the novel. Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, displays many supernatural elements: the nature, ghosts, and the witches are the most significant.

People during the Renaissance were very superstitious; consequently, their connection to the events in the lives of humans was only natural for them. As a result, the weather and animals in the play react to the action of Macbeth. The night of Duncan’s death many supernatural elements began to happen. The weather turned for the worse; it was extremely violent, and the earth even shook. Weird events started occurring with the animals. Horses broke loose; there was a loud screeching that did not stop the entire night. The following reference details the unnatural:

When Duncan’s horses eat each other it is reported “as a thing most strange”. Jorgensen (111).

Horses do not go undomesticated for no reason. In the play, there was evidence of the supernatural elements occurrence. Here are some quotes to support the supernatural that occurred in the nature the night of Duncan’s death:

“And Duncan’s horses- a thing most strange and certain Beauteous and Swift, the minions of their stalls flung out, Contending gainst obedience, as they would make War with mankind.” (14- 18)

…Even like the deed that’s done. On Tuesday last A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed… (11-13)

The first quote is explaining that the animals knew there was an incident taking place that night, and that i...

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...also lead to his tragic downfall. The supernatural elements displayed also bring out the fear and mystery of the play. Without the supernatural in the play it would not have been as expressive. Shakespeare’s utilization of the play’s supernatural elements: nature, ghosts, and, witches, enhances the entire scheme of the play.

Works Cited

Grace, William J. Approaching Shakespeare. Basic Books, Inc., Publishers. Copyright: 1964.

Jorgensen, Paul A. William Shakespeare The Tragedies. G.K. Hall & Company. Copyright: 1985.

Jorgensen, Paul A. Our Naked Frailties. University of California Press. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London. 1971: 111.

Reidel, Jennifer. The Witches’ Influence on Macbeth. February 26, 1966.

Rinehart and Winston, Holt. Elements of Literature. “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Copyright 2003: 11-13, 14-18, 39-47, and 78-83.

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