The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play

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The Character of Macbeth in William Shakespeare's Play Macbeth is a man, influenced by supernatural powers, a manipulative

wife and a growing ambition.

One of the main influences on Macbeth is the supernatural. In

Shakespeare's time their preoccupation with supernatural forces, fear

existed in society about witches and their evil performance. This was

all linked in peoples everyday things like the weather which was often

misconstrued as a sign or a portent off evil. Hence, the significance

of the phrase

"Fair is foul, and foul is fair,"

And also,

"So fair and foul a day I have not seen."

Macbeth returning from victory, in which he featured a hero, is

confounded by the rain and storm. This turns out to be fore - taste of

the ciaos to come. Supernatural powers will be seen to strongly

influence the outcomes of the story and Macbeth's downfalls.

Shakespeare uses history to form the basis of his story and alters it

to increase the dramatic effect. The appearance of the witches

reflects history's fear of supernatural powers - yet Macbeth far from

being horrified says:-

"What are there so weird and wonderful in their alive."

He appears interested and intrigued in what they say.

The audience in Shakespeare's day would have been terrified -

especially when they see how Macbeth responds and how he truly does

become King as the witches predict. As a playwright, he captured his

audience through exploitation of the power of evil. The witches

astound both audience and character with their address "Hail Thane of

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