How does supernatural play a role in macbeth

The apparitions the witches give Macbeth in act four just worsen the situation. The witches predictions of the future caused Macbeth to use his fear as motivation to create chaos. The play is about treachery and manipulation. First, the witches manipulate Macbeth which sets off the chain reaction, then Lady Macbeth manipulates Macbeth into committing regicide and afterwards Macbeth manipulates the murderers into killing Banquo and his son Fleance.

Shakespeare reveals that the witches are being controlled by higher supernatural powers, "call 'em. Let me see 'em," shocking the Jacobean audience and as a result creating doubt and fear of the unknown. Shakespeare appeals to. On the other hand, there is also the argument that Macbeth carves his own path due to his ambitious nature. How could he murder a man of such greatness, kindness and one that is admired by all?

Open Document. Essay Sample Check Writing Quality. Thus, the supernatural is a recurring aspect in William Shakespeare 's Macbeth and is an integral and important part of the plot. The role of the supernatural in Macbeth is to bring out emotional reactions within Macbeth that cloud his judgement, affecting his actions which ultimately leads to his downfall.

This is demonstrated through the ambiguous prophecies of the witches, the supernatural phenomenon that Macbeth sees, and the apparitions that foreshadow how he will meet his end. They are the catalyst that …show more content… However, this experience is not one that gives him courage or ambition but one that gives him fear, enough to make a man go mad. He begins to act like a madman in front of all those loyal to him and reveals that Banquo is dead. After the banquet, Macbeth seeks the witches out of their cave so that he can learn more about his future and silence those who are plotting against him despite what the consequences may be.

This reveals that Macbeth has completely fallen for the witches prophecy. The last king holds a mirror to reflect a never-ending line of kings descended from Banquo. This lack of access to the entire truth sees Macbeth eventually. Get Access. Once Duncan's murder has taken place, a line has been crossed and further acts of wickedness keep on coming.

The Witches' appearance at the start of the play in the middle of a thunderstorm apparently of their own creation sets the tone for what is to follow. As well as predicting the future, controlling the weather and casting evil spells, they also discuss the wicked acts they carry out against ordinary men and women. In a couple of scenes they interact with Hecate, the goddess of witchcraft. One of the Witches describes how a sailor's wife has insulted her and how she plans to take her revenge 'I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do'.

She plans to follow his ship The Tiger and drain the life out of him by not allowing him to sleep. As both Macbeth and, particularly, his wife discover, sleep deprivation is an awful punishment. This apparition has also come true. The little child with a crown on his head in the apparition is meant to be Malcolm once he has been crowned the rightful King of Scotland. At the start of the play Macbeth is portrayed as a tactful and intelligent soldier but in his final battle he uses none of these skills.

The reason for this is that the evil supernatural has made Macbeth lose these Virtues. Otherwise the play could not have been concluded to its fullest extent, and Macbeth could not be vanquished as ironically as he was when, Great Birnam Wood moved! Macbeth caused his own destruction when he relied on the supernatural. I'm Erick! Would you like to get a custom essay? How about receiving a customized one?

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