William Shakespeare's Dramatic Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth

William Shakespeare's Dramatic Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth

Be sure to include the witches, the dagger, Banquo's ghost, the

apparitions and the Old man.

There are many themes in Macbeth like ambition, loyalty and hypocrisy

but Shakespeare has used the theme of the supernatural to create

dramatic emphasis and suspicion. He has used the witches, dagger,

Banquo's ghost, the apparitions and the old man to create to add an

element of the supernatural to Macbeth.

Throughout the play the witches create a sense of mystery. The opening

scene is significant because it puts the audience in fear.

'Fair is foul, and foul is fair'

This quote by the three witches is echoed throughout the play and

shows a sense of evil.

Macbeths opening line 'So foul and fair a day I have not seen echoes

the witches words and is significant because he is already in tune

with their way of thinking and you know that he will be depending on

the witches a lot throughout the play.

The witches can tell the future which tempts Macbeth to go back to

them. On their first meeting, Macbeth is present with Banquo, the

witches tell Macbeth three prophecies and he is initially stunned. The

witches claim that Macbeth will

'All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Glamis'

'All hail Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor

'All hail Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter.'

These prophecies introduce Macbeth to ideas of greatness. Just as the

witches are about to explain how they know these things, they vanish

and Macbeth is eager to hear more of this 'strange intelligence.'

'Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.'

Macbeth wants the witc...

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...e when he was alive.

The Old Man is significant with the theme of supernatural because he

and Ross discuss the unnatural events that occurred on the night of

Duncan's murder. They learn from Macduff that Macbeth has been chosen

to be the next king.

The Old Man states that this is the worst night of his life and he

cannot remember seeing anything worse than this.

'..but this sore night

Hath trifled former knowings.'

To add effect to the scene darkness has taken place of light.

'And yet dark night strangles the traveling lamp.'

The Old Man is a representative of the people and has a memory that

goes back a long way and as far as he can recall he has never

experienced anything like this.

The supernatural events in Macbeth have definitely been effective and

has created a more suspicious tragedy.