The Supernatural In Macbeth

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The 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, many people are still influenced, if not dictated by the supernatural. For example, religious people have the belief that their saviour, Jesus Christ was a man of many miracles; one of which was he turned water into wine. Despite the fact that it does not obey the laws of science, millions of people hold the fact to be true. In Macbeth, his pursuit of procuring the crown and keeping it leads to his eventually downfall. However, his pursuit of the crown, his actions trying to keep the crown and his eventual downfall are all affected by the supernatural. Therefore, the dynamic effect of the supernatural sets the dark atmosphere of the play; it alters the readers’ perception of Macbeth, and it foreshadows his ultimate downfall.

Weather is brought up in many scenes of the play. For example, In Act 1, Scene 1, Shakespeare introduces the three witches in a deserted place with thunder and lighting. Even without knowing what a witch is, people will be under the impression that witches are not friendly beings to associate with. This creates darkness and a dark aura that follows the witches throughout the play.

The weather and the witches reoccur again in Act 1, Scene 3 where the witches first meet Macbeth and Banquo. Prior to meeting Macbeth, th...

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... play completely. The weather, nature, and the animals are used to set the mood and theme of the play. As for imagination, his conscience, and religion, it helps the reader’ and viewers’ understanding of Macbeth and the choice of actions he chooses in the play. Finally, the arrival of Banquo’s ghost, Hecate, and the witches are the major factors in the play that bring justice to Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the supernatural to provoke the evil in Macbeth while suggesting an alternative way of thinking to the audience. In conclusion, one can agree that, “The supernatural is the natural not yet understood.” (Hubbard, Elbert – [3])

Works Cited
1. www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth

2. http://www.dooyoo.co.uk/printed-books/macbeth-william-shakespeare/354296/

3. http://quotationsbook.com/quote/13969/

4. http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/macbethfaq.html#hecate

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