Shakespearean Spirits And Present-Day Phantoms

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Shakespearean Spirits and Present-day Phantoms The discussion of the supernatural is truly the biggest riddle within the universe; and despite its everlasting existence within cultures around the world, these unnatural forces continue to persist without an explicit answer. Haunting millions of lives throughout the past centuries, the mentioning of magical or paranormal forces were labeled as the answer when describing unearthly sights and phenomenons. However, when trying to interpret the “messages” left behind each occurrences, these events usually end up claimed as signs of omen, foresight predictions, or indications of good fortune or news. Comparing supernatural events to two iconic Shakespearean plays, the mentioning of mysticism plays …show more content…

The ghosts (or spirits) play significant roles in promoting the affluence of skepticism within these two main characters: Macbeth and Prince Hamlet. Having both being murdered by evil forces, the deceased warrior and old king continue on their legacies through the forms of non-physical entities, thus entering into the lives of those whom affected them personally or through kin. Their presences in the protagonists’ lives individually emit a specific message or purpose towards the host they haunt. For instance, Macbeth, after having to be visited by the ghost of Banquo, caused him, the newly crowned king, to cause a scene at the banquet table; in response to his uncouth actions and illogical blabbering, the guests react with shock and confusion for the ghost itself was invisible towards them. (“Macbeth”) It also does not help the fact that the prophecies of the three witches is what drives forth his desire in the first place. His desire and greed of wanting to become king causes him to murder the lovable King Duncan (along with influences from his wife), and his guilt and yearning for the title clash within him as his wanted to longing to keep this title for himself but did not have the heart to kill him. The murder of the old king rouses his doubt, along with his desire to have his future sons continue his line on the throne. With these two characteristics and motive on hand, he must eliminate Banquo, person given the third prophecy. Through his death, he return in a form of a silent yet specteric messenger, giving Macbeth the memo that, “he cannot easily extinguish the human force within himself that the torment of fear.”(Ribner) He also sends out the idea that Macbeth’s recent mindset “will continue [to carry on] until [its] own final destruction.” (Ribner) Banquo’s ghost helps point out that within the king’s mind contains the tormenting of madness, therefore his purpose of his apparition

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