The Use Of The Supernatural In Macbeth

Essay, Research Paper

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, there were many interesting uses of the supernatural. The use of the supernatural in the witches, the visions, the ghost, and the apparitions is a key element in making the play interesting. The supernatural is definitely a major factor in the play s style.

The use of the supernatural occurs at the beginning of the play, with the three witches predicting the fate of Macbeth. This gives the reader a clue to what the future holds for Macbeth. The witches say that every battle is lost by one side and won by another. Macbeth s fate is that he will win the battle, but will lose his time of victory for the battle of his soul.

After the prophecies of the witches revealed the fate of Macbeth, the plan in which to gain power of the throne is brought up. The only way to gain power of the throne was for Macbeth to work his way to the throne, or to murder King Duncan. Murdering the king was an easier plan since the motivation in his dreams urged him on. Lady Macbeth also relied on the supernatural by her soliloquy of calling upon the evil spirits to give her the power to plot the murder of Duncan without feeling guilty. The three sisters are capable of leading people into danger resulting in death, such as the sailor who never slept.

Lady Macbeth has convinced her husband Macbeth to murder King Duncan. On the night they planned to kill Duncan, Macbeth is waiting for Lady Macbeth to ring the signal bell to go up the stairs to Duncan s chamber. He sees the vision of the floating dagger. The interest of the dagger is that it leads Macbeth towards the chamber by the presence of evil of the dagger begin covered with blood. Then the bell rings and Macbeth goes up the staircase to Duncan s chamber.

Once the murder has been committed, eventually Banquo has his suspicions about Macbeth killing Duncan to have power of the throne. There is constantly more guilt and fear inside Macbeth and his wife that they decide to have Banquo killed. Macbeth and his wife attend a banquet in which a ghost appears. Once the murderer notified Macbeth that the deed has done, he saw the ghost of Banquo sitting in his regular seat. This caused Macbeth to act wildly, making people suspicious of his actions.

The use of the supernatural has increased the suspense now that Macbeth is constantly relying on the prophecies of the three witches. Hecate, the Queen of witches is angry with the three sisters for not involving her with Macbeth. The witches plan to lead Macbeth to his downfall by making him feel over-confident.

Macbeth goes to the witches cave and demands to know what lies ahead for him. The three witches predict what he is going to ask and produce the first apparition, which is an armed head. The first apparition tells Macbeth to beware of Macduff. Then the second apparition appears and tells Macbeth that no man born from a woman can harm him. Finally, the last apparition appears and is a child crowned, with a tree in his hand. The apparition is saying that he will never be defeated until Great Birnamwood shall come against him to High Dunsinane Hill. These apparitions convinced Macbeth that this was his fate and became over confident, and lead him to his death.

The use of the supernatural in is what makes the play what it is. Without the witches, the ghost, the visions, and the apparitions, Macbeth would have been a dull and boring play. The use of the supernatural enhanced the play very dramatically, making it fun to read for all readers.