What use of the supernatural does Shakespeare make to determine the course of action in the play
What use of the supernatural does Shakespeare make to determine the course of action in the playWhat use of the supernatural does Shakespeare make to determine the course of action in the play?
To understand the involvement of the supernatural in Macbeth we must understand the circumstances in which the play was written in 1606 When Queen Elizabeth I was on her deathbed Shakespeare wrote Macbeth he did this for two reasons. Firstly the newly appointed king to be (James I) was very superstitious and had actually written a book about witchcraft, Secondly at the time people were very suspicious and believed in witch craft a lot and therefore it would not have sounded out of place to say that witches could influence the death of kings, thirdly King James I was actually a descendent of Banquo, except that in real life Banquo had actually killed king Duncan, but this would have not pleased James I and so in Shakespeare’s version of Macbeth, Banquo is innocent so that Shakespeare could get on the good side of the king.
In the play “Macbeth”, there were many interesting sections, which could be concentrated on due to the suspense and the involvement 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 concept of the play work and in making the play interesting. Looking through each Act and Scene of the play, it is noticed that the supernatural is definitely a major factor on the play’s style.
The use of the supernatural occurs at the beginning of the play, with three witches predicting the fate of Macbeth. This gives the audience a clue to what the future holds for Macbeth.
“When the battles lost and won” (Act I, Scene I, l.4)
Was said by the second witch. It says 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.
MACBETH
Speak, if you can: what are you?
First Witch
All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!
Second Witch
All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!
Third Witch
All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!
BANQUO
Good sir, why do you start; and seem to fear Things that do sound so fair? I’ the name of truth, Are ye fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show? My noble partner you greet with present grace and great prediction of noble having and of royal hope, that he seems rapt withal: to me you speak not. If you can look into the seeds of time, and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak then to me, who neither...
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