The supernatural according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary includes: of or relating to an order of existence beyond the visible observable universe; especially: of or relating to God or a god, demigod, spirit, or devil. A belief in the existence of the supernatural: ghosts, fairies, witches etc., is universal in all ages and times. Therefore, it was also existent in the age of Shakespeare. In the time of William Shakespeare, there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural which is the belief in the presence and power of the unseen. “Like many European cultures of the period, medieval Scotland maintained a belief in witches, including their ability to make prophecies and to affect the outcome of certain events” (The Historical
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Everyone in Shakespeare’s time found the supernatural fascinating. One may think of witches as being hags with hooked noses that cast spells, ride broomsticks and work for the devil. “In general, witchcraft was regarded as an evil practice, involving some kind of relationship with the devil, and was therefore considered a threat to social stability” (The Historical Context of Macbeth Shakespeare). Shakespeare interprets the supernatural of witches, magic, unnatural and evil by expressing his beliefs in the play, Macbeth very clearly. He portrays three deformed women with control over the weather and the ability to predict the future. The witches have a significant effect on Macbeth, the characters, the plot, the theme and the audience. The three weird sisters have a strong influence on Macbeth’s character and awaken his ambitions. They are the ones who ultimately plant the idea of what Macbeth can achieve. In the play Macbeth, three witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventual …show more content…
A vision is something seen in a dream, trance, or religious ecstasy, especially a supernatural appearance. Visions generally have more clarity than dreams, and more reality. Visions emerge from spiritual traditions and provide a look into human nature and reality. So to have a vision is to imagine something as if it were real. Macbeth is driven mad and becomes a victim of spiritual suffering because of the voices he hears and visions he sees. At the beginning of the play, he sees a bloody dagger that leads him to Duncan’s chamber. Then he hears voices after he kills King Duncan. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, he writes, “Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep,” to show how Macbeth’s conscious starts to hear voices after his awful deed (2.2.34-35). He later hears the grooms in another act saying “amen” and could not utter the blessed word due to his guilt. He sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair at a banquet after he has Banquo killed. Macbeth sees visions and hears voices which bring out his criminal
Everyone in Shakespeare’s time found the supernatural fascinating. One may think of witches as being hags with hooked noses that cast spells, ride broomsticks and work for the devil. “In general, witchcraft was regarded as an evil practice, involving some kind of relationship with the devil, and was therefore considered a threat to social stability” (The Historical Context of Macbeth Shakespeare). Shakespeare interprets the supernatural of witches, magic, unnatural and evil by expressing his beliefs in the play, Macbeth very clearly. He portrays three deformed women with control over the weather and the ability to predict the future. The witches have a significant effect on Macbeth, the characters, the plot, the theme and the audience. The three weird sisters have a strong influence on Macbeth’s character and awaken his ambitions. They are the ones who ultimately plant the idea of what Macbeth can achieve. In the play Macbeth, three witches predict that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and eventual …show more content…
A vision is something seen in a dream, trance, or religious ecstasy, especially a supernatural appearance. Visions generally have more clarity than dreams, and more reality. Visions emerge from spiritual traditions and provide a look into human nature and reality. So to have a vision is to imagine something as if it were real. Macbeth is driven mad and becomes a victim of spiritual suffering because of the voices he hears and visions he sees. At the beginning of the play, he sees a bloody dagger that leads him to Duncan’s chamber. Then he hears voices after he kills King Duncan. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, he writes, “Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep,” to show how Macbeth’s conscious starts to hear voices after his awful deed (2.2.34-35). He later hears the grooms in another act saying “amen” and could not utter the blessed word due to his guilt. He sees the ghost of Banquo sitting in his chair at a banquet after he has Banquo killed. Macbeth sees visions and hears voices which bring out his criminal