The Importance of the Supernatural in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

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." This creates a feeling of unrest and tension in the

audience, as we can tell that the supernatural is going to be used in

the representation of evil. Shakespeare constantly describes the

weather - "The mist thins", which gives a vivid picture of the scenery

and atmosphere.

The gloomy, dark side of nature and the weather is always referred to;

it seems that Shakespeare is trying to show how the weather is in

union with the Witches, covering and hiding them when they wish to be

unnoticed- "They stop suddenly, and a mist hides them. Enter Macbeth

and Banquo." "The mist thickens." Here, the mist is thickening to hide

the witches from Macbeth and Banquo, showing how mysterious and

unpredictable the weather and the supernatural really is. In Act 1,

scene 3, the Witches tell us how they are going punish an innocent

man, by conjuring a storm from the depths of the sea with their

powers, to sink him and his ship- "I'll give thee a wind." The wit...

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...r through evil means. Banquo's ghost

highlights Macbeth's hypocrisy, when he tries to deceive the others at

the banquet, at drinking a toast to his friend Banqo, making him

realise that he cannot easily hide behind pretence.

All these forms of the supernatural help to play a huge roll in the

destruction of Macbeth, and without the supernatural, the play would

not be as interesting and exciting, and also would not end with the

same disastrous consequences. The supernatural causes Macbeth to

betray his king, as well as becoming a traitor to his own country,

which he certainly would not have done if he were his own self.

The supernatural therefore shapes the events of the play; while the

narrative gives the audience and readers insight into the central

characters, and makes them feel emotionally involved in the story.