Macbeth: Viewing the Three Apparitions Supernaturally

543 Words2 Pages

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, there are several references to supernatural activity. This supernatural activity is very crucial to the storyline. Supernatural defined by Webster relates to an existence beyond the visible observable universe. The Three Apparitions are spoken of in Act IV of the play, but the supernatural is first introduced by the three witches in Act I. The three witches who speak the apparitions are the opening characters in Macbeth. After reading the book, I fully understand Shakespeare reasoning for including them in the story. Each of the three apparitions depicts a clue of Macbeth’s future.

William Shakespeare, in my opinion starts the play off with supernatural beliefs. The first of characters to speak are the three witches. I feel that the witches are a supernatural element that Shakespeare used. The introduction of the witches depicts the plan they had to meet Macbeth. I would describe the witches as a set of mysterious characters that plot mischief against Macbeth using things such as the apparitions. There predictions are what I think caused Macbeth to par...

Show More
Related

  • How Does Shakespeare Create Suspense In Macbeth

    174 Words  | 1 Pages

    Without a general supernatural stigma from the witches, the story would not be as interesting as it is and wouldn’t lay a clear foundation. The reader can enhance their experience by making predictions about the prophecies, thus grabbing the readers attention to continue to read. The role of supernatural is to also create suspense. Suspense of the prophecies gives the reader a sense of what’s to come next. In contrast this will make the reader have motivation to continue as it is a difficult text to understand. The following quote creates suspense as it shows the reader Macbeth is at decline point while constantly relying on the prophecies to save him The mind I sway by and the heart I bear. Shall never sag with doubt nor shake with fear.

    Read More

  • Power and Control in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    499 Words  | 1 Pages

    The three witches use cleverly chosen words and prophecies to exert control over others. These prophecies seem to be more potent than any action, as they can be interpreted in any number of ways, and have the ability to provoke otherwise hidden thoughts and desires. For instance, upon hearing the first prophecies and seeing the first part come true, Macbeth says, “This supernatural soliciting, cannot be ill, cannot be good … If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs.” This shows the power of the witches, and indeed the supernatural in general. The prophecies, of which Macbeth is convinced are true, have provoked thoughts and ideas, both good and evil.

    Read More

  • The Witches: Catalysts of Terror in Macbeth

    1958 Words  | 4 Pages

    Apparitions were also involved in the telling of the story and helped to portray an eerie air. The Apparitions appeared in the first scene of the fourth act after being summoned by The Witches, “Come, high or low; / Thyself and office deftly show!” (4.1.71-72) As The Apparitions spoke to Macbeth about his future and his ultimate demise, the first witch warns Macbeth that the apparition can hear his thoughts so he should refrain from speaking to them, “He knows thy thought: Hear his speech, but say thou nought” (4.1.69-70). This warning gives off a feeling of fear and unpredictability that proves the supernatural world is beyond any human control or comprehension (Boyce 1). The Apparitions, along with The Witches, add a unique theme to the play itself, however, The Witches bring the theme to life at the beginning of the play and The Apparitions carry it through until the

    Read More

  • The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1823 Words  | 4 Pages

    As the play continues the supernatural is used more. Act 1 Scene 3 is Macbeth’s first meeting with the witches, and is also the first time the audience sees or experiences the witches’ supernatural abilities.

    Read More

  • Supernatural Action In Macbeth Essay

    1167 Words  | 3 Pages

    In the play of Macbeth we notice the works of how the supernatural can control or change

    Read More

  • Supernatural in Shakespeare's Macbeth - The Three Witches

    938 Words  | 2 Pages

    on April 23, 1616, at the age of 52.  One of these brilliant tragedies was

    Read More

  • Illusion vs. Reality in Macbeth

    1086 Words  | 3 Pages

    The witches also kept repeating a quote that has a lot of meaning. They continued to say “foul is fair and fair is foul.” (I.i.12) This means that what seems right isn’t really right and what seems wrong isn’t really wrong. So the whole play is about false faces and how someone who seems normal and innocent isn’t really.      The witches also seem to be an illusion. They are in a way human like, but at the same time they are also fake. They talked to Macbeth and told him three prophecies, which caused him to become greedy and kill King Duncan. The first time they told him what they saw was in Act 1. They said

    Read More

  • Occult and Supernatural Elements in "Macbeth"

    1390 Words  | 3 Pages

    These apparitions, if done right, could potentially be visually spectacular, having a serious impact on the audience, invoking fear and terror. These supernatural elements, combined with Shakespeare’s use of language and possible stagecraft, will have a dramatic effect on the audience as Shakespeare intended. In conclusion, supernatural elements feature throughout Macbeth, from the witches to apparitions and daggers. The only elements of the occult present in Macbeth, if we are to abide by the given definition, are the characters of the witches. In order for the dramatic effect that Shakespeare intended for the play to have on its audience, which it did in front of an Elizabethan audience, then a heavy amount of stagecraft concerning costumes, scenery and props will have to be applied to the performance.

    Read More

  • Supernatural Imagery in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    638 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth experiences his first strange encounter of the supernatural when he meets the three witches in Act 1, Scene 1. The witches greet Macbeth by saying "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!" (1.1). The witches insinuate the idea of power, and by doing that, push Macbeth to the next level of greed and evil that did not exist prior to the supernatural encounter.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Character Analysis Assignment: Macbeth Is Evil

    633 Words  | 2 Pages

    The three witches in the play are a pretty big influence on Macbeth. For example, the witches tell him that he will be the Thane of Cawdor. ?All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor.? (I.iii.47). This quote shows that Macbeth is confident that he will eventually be king. Also, the witches tell him none of woman born can kill him, therefore, making him feel invincible. ?The power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.? (IV.i.79-80). This quote proves that Macbeth is becoming even more confident because he knows from the witches prophecies none of a woman born can kill him. In the end, the witch?s basically started out Macbeth?s ambitions to become king who makes him commit evil acts.

    Read More

  • Macbeth

    570 Words  | 2 Pages

    The supernatural plays an important role in Macbeth and supports the plot. From the floating dagger to Banquo's ghost, the supernatural is greatly responsible for every dark moment in the play. Supernatural experiences is what kept the play going and entertaining in my mind. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are propelled into killing because of the supernatural or them making it happen. The supernatural was scary at the time and the play was risky because of the witches, but doing it made the play even better.

    Read More

  • The Importance of the Supernatural in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

    2938 Words  | 6 Pages

    The Importance of the Supernatural in Macbeth by William Shakespeare The supernatural is to play an essential part in the play 'Macbeth'; this is made clear from the first paragraph of the play, when the three witches are introduced. It is represented in many different forms, mainly: the witches, the dagger and the ghost of Banquo. Shakespeare's use of imagery and creative language in the play creates tension, fear and clearly displays the importance of the supernatural theme. At the start of the play, the supernatural is disguised in the form of nature, in this case a storm. Shakespeare uses pathetic fallacy to describe the strong force of nature- "Thunder and lightning - Enter three Witches.

    Read More

  • What Is The Role Of The Supernatural In Macbeth

    970 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the English Renaissance, there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Thus, the supernatural is a recurring aspect in William Shakespeare 's Macbeth and is an integral and important part of the plot. The role of the supernatural in Macbeth is to bring out emotional reactions within Macbeth that cloud his judgement, affecting his actions which ultimately leads to his downfall. This is demonstrated through the ambiguous prophecies of the witches, the supernatural phenomenon that Macbeth sees, and the apparitions that foreshadow how he will meet his end.

    Read More

  • Shakespeare's Use of the Supernatural in "Macbeth"

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    The supernatural was a popular element in many of the plays written in Shakespeare's time (including Hamlet) and everyone of Shakespeare's time found the supernatural fascinating. Even King James I took a special interest in the supernatural and wrote a book, Daemonologie, on witchcraft. It must be remembered that, in Shakespeare's day, supernatural referred to things that were "above Nature"; things which existed, but not part of the normal human life and unexplainable. The play Macbeth involves many supernatural actions that act as a catalyst for suspense and thrill, insight into character, foreshadowing of future events as well as making connections with the theme. In the opening scene of the play, the entrance of the three witches depicts the first presence of supernatural in Macbeth.

    Read More

  • Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    2509 Words  | 6 Pages

    To conclude Shakespeare used the supernatural, to show how easily someone’s fatal flaw can be exploited to bring them to an end. This is extremely relevant to his audience at that time as well, no one knows, but Shakespeare could have been a non believer in the supernatural and wanted to show it as a figment of the mind, that can only result in insanity or he could have believed the popular opinion that the supernatural did exist and caused terror and evil throughout that period. Either way he wrote Macbeth in such a way to leave questions about the supernatural in peoples mind.

    Read More

More about Macbeth: Viewing the Three Apparitions Supernaturally

Open Document