Shakespeare's Portrayal of the Supernatural in Macbeth

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Shakespeare's Portrayal of the Supernatural in Macbeth

The supernatural plays a considerable part in Shakespeare's "Macbeth".

"Macbeth" is one o the well admired historical tragedies by William

Shakespeare. It is believed to be written in the reign of James 1,

Elizabethan times. At that, particular time suspected witches were

greatly concerned.

The play is about the rise and fall of the Scottish king Macbeth who

ruled Scotland between 1040 - 57AD. Macbeth and his wife are seen by

those who watch the play as evil partners, ruthless murderers who

began as a normal couple but who took the wrong track led by their

evil thoughts.

Throughout the play, the audience is never sure exactly how far the

witches' control lasts. For example, what were the witches doing? In

addition, from where did the dagger and Lady Macbeth spot come from?

Here Shakespeare is suggesting that a mere mortal mind cannot

comprehend the awesome evil transpiring before them.

Lady Macbeth first hears about the witches predictions in a letter

from Macbeth and she's immediately intrigued. She first brings up

spirits on what she says.

"Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear."

Once the messenger had gone, Lady Macbeth went on to deliver one of

the most disturbing and supernatural speeches in the play. She wants

to kill king Duncan but doesn't have the heart to, so she asks the

sprits to possess her, to wipe all trace of good and conscience from

her.

"Come you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts unsex me here,"

She then goes on to say entirely weird things that suggest she wants

to be mentally stronger,

"Make thick my blood"

She is asking the evil sprits to

"Come to my woman's breasts and take milk for gall."

What Lady Macbeth is saying involves the supernatural and she has

obviously been sparked off by the witches predictions as she makes

decisions very quickly, and always has a quick answer to persuade,

when she was encouraging Macbeth to kill

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