The Supernatural in Macbeth - 874 Words

L. Botos 21 December 2012 The Supernatural in Macbeth The supernatural contributes significantly to the story in the thrilling play Macbeth, written by Shakespeare. The paranormal signs and powers show considerable overlap with insanity in the case of several characters throughout the play. The superhuman agents that appear or contacted in the play are used for evil purposes in almost all the cases, and are predominantly resulting in the death of a human being. First of all, the three witches are using supernatural powers throughout the play to achieve their baleful plan. In the beginning of the play, the three witches are murmuring incantations for perpetrating metaphysical communications escorted by the supernatural agents. The†¦show more content†¦This kind of confusion is one of the main characteristics of insanity, but it has also a considerable probability factor, that the sight was a supernatural apparition for him. Therefore, it can be regarded to as a proper example of the supernatural instances overlapping with insani ty. Lady Macbeth often called the superhuman authorities to help her reaching her evil goals. She is strongly embraced with the evil in order to commit her acts, and not even afraid of loosing her sexual characteristics to accomplish that: Come, you spirits That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full Of direst cruelty! (Lady Macbeth1.5.41 - 45) From her first seen effort of connecting the metaphysical world she is becoming more and more engaged in her psychosis. She starts sleepwalking and thinks that her hand is bloody as taking part of the murders committed by his husband, Macbeth. She is trying to rub the blood off her hands as sleeping, and revealing to her environment that she is guilty. The doctor states, â€Å"What is it she does now? Look, how she rubs / her hands.† (5.1.29 – 30) While this is obviously an act of insanity, as she is having somnambulism, it was thought to happen by supernatural forces by most of the people of the era. Thirdly, Macbeth s sight of the ghost of Banquo is making him react fairlyShow MoreRelatedThe Supernatural In Macbeth1858 Words   |  8 Pages In the play Macbeth by WIlliam Shakespeare, the supernatural is an ever present force, seen in the witches, the ghost of banquo, and maybe some other places. The way Shakespeare portrays the supernatural, and especially the witches, add a great deal s to the play, and also contribute in key ways to the themes, structure, tone. Mood, and literary devices in ways that are designed to affect the audience of the play. The most important contribution in my opinion, was that they made the play scaryRead MoreThe Supernatural World Of Macbeth1103 Words   |  5 Pagesthe supernatural world. The idea that the world was full of witches, ghosts, and spells began to stain the country. The hysteria and paranoia regarding witches and spells caused uncontrollable excitement for the people in the 15th century. Following superstitions and indulging in mystical magic was habitual; darkness was taking over. Slowly, but surely the malicious, foul, and unholy world was raiding the souls and minds of th e people in the 15th century. The supernatural world in Macbeth wasRead MoreTheme Of Supernatural In Macbeth773 Words   |  4 PagesShakespeares Macbeth, the supernatural and the role it plays in motivating characters is present throughout the duration of the play. The supernatural causes conflict in the play and the prophecies from the witches in act one is the inciting action. The apparition, Banquos ghost, and the dagger are examples of how the presence of the supernatural causes conflict. The theme of the supernatural causing conflict in Macbeth plays an important role in the plot of the play. The witches in Macbeth play a criticalRead MoreMacbeth - Supernatural Theme809 Words   |  4 PagesThe presence of supernatural forces in William Shakespeare s, Macbeth, provides for much of the play s dramatic tension and the mounting suspense. Several supernatural apparitions throughout the play profoundly affect Macbeth and the evil forces eventually claim Macbeth and destroy his morals. Macbeth s ambition was driven by the prophecies of the three witches and unlike Banquo, he was willing to do anything to assure that they actually transpire. Macbeth is horrified at the notion of killingRead More The Supernatural in Macbeth Essay3374 Words   |  14 PagesThe Supernatural in Macbeth       More than a few elements of the supernatural can be discovered within the action and dialogue of Shakespeares 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 dard...to bring forth/So great and object (Lucy   1).  Ã‚   There are also elements of it apparent in Winters Tale, What I did not well I meant well (Lucy  Read MoreThe Supernatural in Macbeth Essay1031 Words   |  5 PagesFrom witches to apparitions, supernatural elements are the constituents of the play, Macbeth. The supernatural occurrences served as role as a manifestation of evil temptations that seduced Macbeth into murdering, even his own comrades. Macbeth’s first meet with the supernatural was the ignition of his ambition to kill for his own success; the second encounter of the supernatural allowed his sanity and judgment to wander off to a murdererâ €™s mind with the basis of his before gained ambition. Supernatural’sRead MoreThe Supernatural In Macbeth Essay1944 Words   |  8 PagesThe Supernatural and its’ affect in the play Macbeth The supernatural has always fascinated and continues to intrigue mankind. In many of Shakespeare’s plays, he uses the supernatural to strengthen a particular scene or to influence the impression the audience has about someone or something. This was not strange or uncommon in Shakespeare’s time. In fact, during the 1500s, many people still believed in witches and witchcraft. Even in today’s society, with such advanced science and technology, manyRead MoreMacbeth : Influence Of The Supernatural2958 Words   |  12 PagesMacbeth Essay- Influence of the Supernatural â€Å"The supernatural is the natural not yet understood.† (Elbert Hubbard) Within the realm of Williams Shakespeare’s â€Å"Macbeth†, supernatural elements play a prevalent role throughout the telling of the tragedy. Created in a time period in which fear of the unknown ran high and belief in the supernatural was rampant, the incorporation of mystical components resulted in a compelling story for the people of the Elizabethan era. Moving forward into the modernRead MoreEssay On Supernatural Manipulation In Macbeth773 Words   |  4 PagesThe play, Macbeth, is established around the central idea that once you have completely abandoned your mind, morals, and being you lose everything you have. It is clear that the acts committed by the conflicted and mislead Macbeth, have the potential to shatter him as a mortal, such is the overall theme of Macbeth. But, when contemplating the presence of the unnatural forces in the play it is difficult to truly decipher what is meant by their intentions. The intervention of the supernatural evidentlyRead MoreOccult and Supernatural Elements in Macbeth1402 Words   |  6 PagesAlthough Macbeth is not classed as being a supernatural play or a play of the occult, there are some elements in the play that Shakespeare uses to effect. It is necessary however, to define what is meant by the terms ‘occult’ and ‘supernatural’: the term ‘occult’ is defined as being ‘supernatural beliefs, practises or phenomenon’ and the term ‘supernatural’ is defined as being ‘attributed to some force beyond scientific understanding or the laws of nature’; both these terms can be associated with