The Supernatural In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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Supernatural is often defined in as something paranormal or unable to be explained by science or laws of nature. This abnormality or paranormal behavior occurs throughout numerous scenes of Shakespeare 's The Tragedy of Macbeth. The play is set in mid 11th century Scotland, and there was a stark contrast between the way of life back then and today. The Scottish general and Thane of Glamis, Macbeth, is a powerful man, but not a virtuous man. Banquo, who is another general and co-leader of the Scottish army along Macbeth, finds out that his children will be the future king. He is easily persuaded by his devious wife Lady Macbeth of achieving a higher rank in the kingdom of Scotland and they will go on extreme lengths to make sure it happens. …show more content…

These unknown forces can cause great stress and fear causing changes on regular human behavior. In the Shakespearean play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, the theme of the Supernatural and its effect on human behavior is ubiquitous throughout; this theme occurs in the weird sister 's manipulation of Macbeth, the appearance of Banquo 's ghost and the three prophecies.
The weird sisters are a prime example of one of the various supernatural occurrences in Macbeth. The weird sisters are three witches that play a major role in spawning an atmosphere of evil and foreshadowing future events. The witches are said to resemble a man like figure and have a great influence on each of the characters ' fate. The word "wierd” comes from an old english term "wyrd" meaning fate; therefore, the witches should have an association with controlling and influencing the fate of individuals. The two individuals, Banquo and Macbeth, are given insight into what fate they will have. The weird sisters start to manipulate their fates by putting a curse on Macbeth and allowing him to "sleep shall neither night nor day." He must "hang upon his penthouse lid" and shall "live a man forbid weary sev 'nights, nine times nine." (Shakespeare Act …show more content…

Macbeth found out his future that his time as king is limited. He learned that Fleance, Banquo 's descendent, will become the future king of Scotland. This can be illustrated by the "grown serpent [that] lies, [and] the worm that fled nature in time will venom breed [with] no teeth present." (Shakespeare Act III, iv, Line 32-34). It is evident that Macbeth talks about Banquo 's death being a grown serpent, he is no longer a detriment to Macbeth 's control for supremacy. But Fleance, the "worm", has escaped. Macbeth is not too worried that how he will kill him as opposed to the future of his own fate as king. This supports that Macbeth is not thinking clearly and may be considered paranoid of wanting to reside as king forever. "It is remarkable that the ghost always appears as soon as Macbeth mentions Banquo" showing that seeing various inanimate objects that normal people cannot see gives clues that Macbeth is disillusioned and insane (Vince). This also adds to the plot and creates more tension than needed since Macbeth starts to unravel as the play goes on due to the guilt of killing former king,

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