The Supernatural in William Shakespeare's Macbeth
analytical Essay
886 words
The Supernatural in William Shakespeare's Macbeth
Supernatural happenings are out of the ordinary and unexplainable in
the natural world, for example ghosts and witches which both play an
important part in Macbeth. In Shakespeare's day, many people believed
in witches and prophecies. It was said that supernatural happenings
were from the devil and some people even got killed because they were
said to be evil. Shakespeare's play Macbeth has many mysteries and
actions that were thought to be supernatural, which could be either
supernatural or real. I am going to write about the different
supernatural happenings in Macbeth, each of them leading Macbeth to
act sinfully.
The supernatural starts the play as the audience are presented with
the three witches. Macbeth is told through them what his future is and
it immediately gives him evil thoughts:
My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,
Shakes so my single state of man that function
(Act one Scene three, lines 139-140)
The witches could have put the idea in Macbeths head that he could
become king, making him murder or they could have cast a spell on
Macbeth making him do terrible things. The witches are thought to be
evil characters; they have supernatural powers from the devil:
What! Can the Devil speak true?
(Act one Scene three, line 106)
The witches told Macbeth the prophecies where Macbeth would succeed
and be great, but they didn't tell him the price he would have to pay.
The audience are later introduced to Hecate, the Goddess of
Witchcraft. She is angry with the witches for talking to Macbeth
without her. The witches then prepare a spell:
Your vessels and your spells provide
Your charms, and every thing beside.
(Act three Scene five, lines 18-19)
Macbeth again meets the witches after they have prepared the spells.
The witches ask Macbeth if he wants them or his masters to tell his
future. Macbeth tells the witches to show him the ones from their
master. The first apparition is of an armed head, and tells him to
In this essay, the author
- Explains that supernatural happenings are out of the ordinary and unexplained in the natural world, such as ghosts and witches, which both play an important part in macbeth.
- Explains that shakespeare's play macbeth has many mysteries and actions that were thought to be supernatural, which could be either supernatural or real. the supernatural starts the play as the audience are presented with the three witches.
- Analyzes how the witches could have put the idea in macbeth's head that he could become king, making him murder or casting a spell on him.
- Analyzes how the audience is introduced to hecate, the goddess of witchcraft, who is angry with the witches for talking to macbeth without her.
- Analyzes how macbeth meets the witches after they have prepared the spells. they ask him if he wants them or his masters to tell his future.
- Narrates the three apparitions that fill macbeth with confidence because he thinks these things will never happen.
- Analyzes how macbeth trusts the witches, but feels that evil is on his side. the evil has misled him and he has to fight alone.
- Analyzes how macbeth asks the witches if banquo's descendants will be kings, and is led by the supernatural. when all their prophecies about him come true, he becomes interested in supernatural happenings.
- Analyzes how macbeth falls into the temptation of evil, believing more of the witches prophecies, and seeing the supernatural, such as banquo's ghost.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is not the only one changed by the supernatural. she wants to have her womanliness taken from her so she can murder.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth's conscience haunts her as she goes through the events of the night duncan was murdered.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is dragged into the supernatural world with her old character which was able to hide from the world her thoughts, has now gone mad.
- Analyzes how macbeth kills duncan at night, and before the murder is announced people talk about how strange the night has been: the obscure bird clamoured the livelong night.
- Analyzes how ross and duncan discuss the unnatural events of the nights before. evil is like a disease while scotland is under macbeth's rule.
- Analyzes how the supernatural in macbeth affects everyone and without it, he may not have committed any of his deeds.
Related
- opinion
- analytical
- The Supernatural in William Shakespeare's Macbethopinion essayThe Supernatural in William Shakespeare's Macbeth In Macbeth the supernatural is used to entertain and terrify the audience. Supernatural things are those that do not belong in the natural world. In Elizabethan times, people were so terrified of the supernatural because they believed that there was a natural order which effectively governed the universe, and when this order was misaligned things would start to go very wrong. For instance, were a Thane to kill a king and then become king, he would have changed the natural order and thus strange things would happen, and in Macbeth they did – horses started eating each other and weather became very irregular. Today we are not terrified in the same way by the supernatural.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the witnesses, saying in act 2 scene 3 "that i did kill them" and "who can."
- Opines that had they but died an hour before this chance, they had lived a blessèd time.
- Opines that renown and grace is dead – the wine of life is drawn.
- Opines that macbeth's opponent is a threat to their life.
- Analyzes how it wakes it now to look so green and pale at what it did so.
- Opines that if you durst do it, then you were a man!
- Opines that if you really loved me and were a true man, you would love me.
- Narrates how they both drove their lords mad in act 3 scene 2.
1275 wordsRead More - The Supernatural in William Shakespeare's Macbethanalytical essayThe supernatural plays a huge role in the play of Macbeth. There are many different types of supernatural occurrences that take place in this play such as with witches, apparitions, and hallucinations. The supernatural affect all of the characters in the play in different ways, their different personalities often lead to different outcomes then were possibly intended.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how macbeth's apparitions could be figments of his imagination or conjured up by the witches.
- Describes shakespeare, william, and john crowther's "act 4." macbeth. new york, ny: spark pub., 2003.
- Explains that the supernatural plays a huge role in the play of macbeth.
- Analyzes how macbeth's hallucinations are brought upon by a guilty conscience, as all the people who have had them have taken part in some dastardly dead to make them guilty.
672 wordsRead More - The Supernatural in Macbethanalytical essayThe Supernatural in Macbeth More than a few elements of the supernatural can be discovered within the action and dialogue of Shakespeare's plays. However, the extent and nature of those elements differs to a large degree. There are traces of it to be found in Henry V, "Pardon, gentles all,/The flat unraised spirit that hath dar'd...to bring forth/So great and object" (Lucy 1). There are also elements of it apparent in Winter's Tale, "What I did not well I meant well" (Lucy 1).
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the supernatural can be found in shakespeare's plays, but the extent and nature of those elements differs to a large degree. the supernatural is used most fearsomely in hamlet.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses supernatural elements to enhance the mood and tone of a midsummer's night dream.
- Analyzes how the supernatural elements in the tempest are more threatening and frightful than the jovial ones of a midsummer night's dream, but they are whimsical because they represent nature and seem to play capriciously with men
- Analyzes how the supernatural is instrumental in macbeth's fall because it represents the dark or evil side of man.
- Compares shakespeare's inspiration for many if not all of his plays, including macbeth, to other sources about the infamous thane of cawdor.
- Explains the use of the supernatural in drama. it is used to create audience excitement as special affects are used in the cinema and add suspense to the story.
- Analyzes how the witches and supernatural elements in macbeth use foreshadowing to evoke fear and thoughts of evil in the audience.
- Analyzes how macbeth is personally affected by the witches more than banquo because they appear to be not of this realm. their appearance adds to the evil mood of the play from the beginning and throughout its action.
- Analyzes how the witches are capable of wreaking havoc on men's lives. macbeth sees them as a means of confidence and affirmation.
- Analyzes how the supernatural and weird sisters symbolize the tragedy of the play and macbeth's weakness.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth's evil influence has as much effect on him as the evil witches.
- Analyzes how macbeth's character isn't strong enough to fight off his o'erleaping ambition or the evil forces around him.
- Opines that macbeth is too reckless in his ambition and too murderous for any such second-guessing to matter. the witches have been successful in taking advantage of his weak nature and his soul is close to fading
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the supernatural as a symbol of truth and nature in all of his plays.
- Explains that in macbeth the educated man would trace the workings of the mind, follow the tortured soul in all its windings, and shadow the chain of vents which must follow, given certain conditions.
- Opines that the emotionally-strung or emotional would fully enter into the psychological struggle before which when the heavens see, they tremble and are still.
- Analyzes how the ignorant, whose perceptions are all underdeveloped, would observe in the weird sisters, the impersonation of those vices with which the morality plays had made him familiar.
- Analyzes how even the indifferent subject could not fail to be impressed, though, to his mental vacuity, the finer meaning would be greek.
- Analyzes how shakespeare's use of the supernatural is relevant not only to the action within the play, but also the audience outside of it.
3367 wordsRead More - Shakespeare's Use of the Supernatural in Macbethopinion essayShakespeare's Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth The supernatural is widely used in Macbeth, and covers major sections of it. It is used to generate interest, and to provoke thought and controversy. At the time the play was written, James the 1st was the English monarch. James the 1st was originally James the 4th on the Scottish throne, until there was a union of crowns between England and Scotland in the late 16th century. Shakespeare wrote the play for him, so the play Macbeth is popularly known as 'the Scottish play'.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the ways in which a woman can have it her own way by getting things on demand.
- Analyzes how he has echoed what the witches said in act one scene one.
- Opines that thane doesn't normally know a man's full name.
- Narrates how thane of cawdor tells him that he is than. this is not a surprise.
- Opines that the quote above is saying that macbeth is too loyal to duncan.
- Opines that she would also do many other things to make sure she is ready.
- Analyzes how the actor is nervous at the end of the scene to take a leading role.
- Analyzes how ross says he is not here, so macbeth thinks it could be a joke.
- Opines that macbeth isn't the strong soldier he used to be, and that his character is not strong.
- Opines that lady macbeth is ridiculed for ridiculing him.
- Explains that act 4 scene 1 is the next scene in the play for the supernatural.
- Opines that many men would have the guts to do, let alone a woman with strong will.
- Opines that he needed some sort of method to hide his army from the enemy.
- Opines that the rsc's version of the play has a sword fight at the end.
- Explains that act 5 scene 1 is a scene to show how lady macbeth has coped with each murder, as she hasn't been seen since act 3 scene 4.
5132 wordsRead More - The Supernatural’s Role in Macbethanalytical essayThe supernatural is arguably one of the most prominent things that fuels Macbeth’s unchecked ambition throughout the play. In fact, the very thing that began his journey into insanity was his conversation with the three witches and Banquo in Act 1, scene 3. The witches said “All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”, and if he hadn’t of met or listened to the witches then his fate could’ve possibly been avoided altogether. Banquo in contrast didn’t listen to the witches, and if Macbeth had done the same then neither of them would have died. Of course Macbeth’s downfall can’t be entirely blamed on the witches or the supernatural in general. The supernatural wouldn’t have affected him in the first place if he hadn’t been too prideful and gullible to begin with.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the supernatural fuels macbeth's unchecked ambition throughout the play. his conversation with the three witches and banquo in act 1, scene 3 began his journey into insanity.
- Analyzes how macbeth hunts out the witches to confront them about their apparitions, and this only further leads to his demise.
- Opines that if macbeth had taken more time to question their validity then a great deal of misfortune could have been avoided.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth's words about having illusions while asleep are disturbing to say the least, and could resemble her wanting to remove her guilt.
- Analyzes how illusions came into play earlier than lady macbeth's descent into insanity.
- Opines that the presence of the supernatural in macbeth led to all the deaths that occurred in the play.
599 wordsRead More - The role of the supernatural in Macbethanalytical essayMany plays by William Shakespeare have a reoccurring aspect of the supernatural; presenting itself never in an evil demeanor, though it does wreak havoc on the lives amongst it.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how shakespeare's plays have a reoccurring aspect of the supernatural. it provides an insight into the character of macbeth, showing his weak-mindedness and what influenced him to think for himself.
- Analyzes how the witches represent macbeth's evil ambitions of evil, greed, and devilish scheming. they first appear in scene one, foreshadowing his future superiority of scotland.
- Analyzes how the ghost of banquo displays macbeth's weak minded and guilty feelings after he had him murdered.
- Analyzes how macbeth believes that the floating dagger is a sign for him to finally commit his crime he had schemed without the assistance of lady
- Narrates how lady macbeth entrusted the witches prophesies to her husband to commit crimes and do dirty work for her. they wanted to become king and queen of scotland, taking out anyone in their way.
- Analyzes how supernatural reoccurring events triggered macbeth's evil thoughts and led to his tragic downfall. the witches only harm those whose instincts lead them to believe in witchcraft and superstition.
567 wordsRead More - How Does The Supernatural Influence Macbethanalytical essayPriscilla Asante J. Cousineau ENG 2D 21 December 2017 Influential Characters in Macbeth The author Napoleon Hill once said, “Without a doubt, the most common weakness of all human beings is the habit of leaving their minds open to the negative influence of other people”(Napoleon Hill, Az quotes). One should be careful of the people they decide to surround themselves with because they could influence you while having a hidden agenda that could impact your life negatively. In Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the reader is introduced to the supernatural and Lady Macbeth. The supernatural deliver prophecies throughout the play to Macbeth.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that one should be careful of the people they surround themselves with because they could influence one's life negatively. the supernatural deliver prophecies throughout the play to macbeth.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth persuades him to commit murder by questioning his courage, masculinity, and his loyalty to her.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth tries to convince him to kill duncan by mocking his masculinity. she also questions his loyalty to her, telling him she would rather kill her own child than break a promise.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth is relentless in trying to convince him that she would never break a promise even if the means to do it would mean killing her own child.
- Analyzes how the supernatural influence macbeth's decisions by the use of prophecies which motivate him to act on his greatest desires.
- Analyzes how macbeth is influenced by the supernatural by telling him prophecies that appeal to his inner desires.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth and the supernatural appeal to his impulsive nature throughout the play. they caution against accepting the influences of others.
1429 wordsRead More - Natural Vs. Supernatural In Shakespeare's Macbethanalytical essayNo fear Shakespeare: Macbeth remains relevant as it deals with themes that span time and the fact that it can be presented in different ways to meet the interest of any audience, this is because it shows Ambition, Power and Natural vs. Supernatural. These three images can be relevant today as well.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that shakespeare: macbeth remains relevant as it deals with themes that span time and the fact that it can be presented in different ways to meet the interest of any audience.
- Analyzes how ambition can be a positive motivating force, but it also has negative effects in the play. lady macbeth's motivation to kill the king encourages him to overcome his guilt and act on the predictions of the witches.
- Analyzes how shakespeare describes the terrible consequences of macbeth's hunger for power. he kills his king and friends in order to be ruler.
- Analyzes how shakespeare explains the supernatural as witches, magic, unnatural and evil. banquo's ghost represents the down fall of macbeth.
- Analyzes how different images representing different appropriations of macbeth reinforce its relevance across culture and time.
- Concludes that macbeth is relevant today because people are still motivated by ambition, power, and the depths to which people will sink to get what they want.
897 wordsRead More - The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Macbethanalytical essayThe Supernatural in Macbeth Everyone has a slightly different interpretation of the supernatural but the interpretation which we can start with is Shakespeare’s. Everyone of Shakespeare’s time found the supernatural fascinating. Shakespeare interpreted the supernatural as witches, magic, unnatural and evil and he expressed his beliefs in the play, “Macbeth” very clearly, as he portrayed the three deformed women with control over the weather and the ability to predict the future. These three evil witches with magical powers were the creation of Shakespeare’s interpretation of the supernatural. Shakespeare’s contemporaries believed in the supernatural very strongly and a majority of them were frightened of it, including the king of that time, King James I of England.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how banquo suggests that macbeth has played foully to achieve his kingship. the witches also predicted baquo's future.
- Analyzes how shakespeare shows macbeth's fear and guilt after committing the murder of a king and having his closest companion murdered.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the supernatural apparition to show the audience that evil is present.
- Analyzes how shakespeare expresses his view that the supernatural is evil and can trick even the strongest of people. the apparitions contradict themselves by saying, "beware of macduff" and "none of women born shall harm macbeth."
- Analyzes how shakespeare interpreted the supernatural as witches, magic, unnatural and evil in "macbeth". the supernatural theme was the 17th century's equivalent to the modern day horror movie.
- Analyzes how shakespeare uses the supernatural to guide the audience to show what evil is. macbeth is now the king of scotland since both of duncan's sons fled the country in fear of their lives.
- Analyzes how lady macbeth's remorse and confusion show how even the most desperate people regret relying on the supernatural.
1823 wordsRead More - Influence of the Witches and Lady Macbeth The last person you would expect to encourage you to commit a crime would be your wife. Macbeth is motivated by his wife and by three Witches and gradually becomes more ruthless, evil, and murderous as the play progresses. Lady Macbeth is first introduced in Act1 Scene 5: reading a letter receives from Macbeth describing the encounter with the Witches, and the prophecies which they given him. Lady Macbeth is very ambitious; believes that Macbeth is too kind and loyal to take the steps needed to become king. "
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how lady macbeth becomes more ruthless, evil, and murderous as the play progresses.
- Analyzes how the witches are evil, conniving, and cruel in macbeth. they give mac and bonquo three prophecies to convince him to kill duncan.
- Analyzes how macbeth becomes more ruthless, evil, and murderous after killing duncan. while planning to kill banquo, he has no remorse or guilt.
- Opines that macbeth was faced with a hard choice: to kill his loyal king or break his wife's promise. the most important thing is to learn from your mistakes.
570 wordsRead More