Jerry Reeves
Ms. Cerny
English 12
8 February 2017
Supernatural Influences on Macbeth
In Shakespeare’s 17th century horror story, Macbeth, the supernatural element is essential to the plot. After hearing a prophecy that he will become king himself, Macbeth is overcome by evil ambitions and greed. Aided by the prophecy and his wife, he kills King Duncan and takes the throne. Macbeth’s desire for power leads to his downfall and he is killed by Macduff and others he has wronged. The supernatural element of the play is not only meant to intrigue the audience, but it is also an incentive for action. The supernatural appears to Macbeth in different forms throughout the play including a floating dagger, the three witches, a ghost, and prophetic apparitions. …show more content…
Macbeth’s friend Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth’s involvement in the death of King Duncan, so Macbeth hires an assassin to kill him after he fled to England. During a party, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, and reacts with horror, “Prithee, see there! behold! Look! Lo! How say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel-houses and our graves must send; Those that we bury back, our monuments; Shall be the maws of kites” (3.4.68-73). Banquo’s ghost begins to drive Macbeth mad, and he becomes very concerned about someone discovering his role in the murders of King Duncan and Banquo, “Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd; Too terrible for the ear: the times have been, That, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end; but now they rise again, With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools: this is more strange; Than such a murder is” (3.4.75-83). This drives Macbeth to see the witches again to learn his …show more content…
During Macbeth’s final visit to them, he learns his head will be cut off by Macduff confirming the fears of his approaching death. The second apparition tells Macbeth that he can not be harmed by no one born of woman. This knowledge gives Macbeth a false sense of security because he believes that he cannot be harmed, yet Macduff was not of woman born, his mother was dead when Macduff was born. This leads to Macbeth's downfall. A child with a crown on his head, the third apparition, represents Malcolm, Duncan's son. This apparition also gives Macbeth a false sense of security because of the Birnam Wood
Ms. Cerny
English 12
8 February 2017
Supernatural Influences on Macbeth
In Shakespeare’s 17th century horror story, Macbeth, the supernatural element is essential to the plot. After hearing a prophecy that he will become king himself, Macbeth is overcome by evil ambitions and greed. Aided by the prophecy and his wife, he kills King Duncan and takes the throne. Macbeth’s desire for power leads to his downfall and he is killed by Macduff and others he has wronged. The supernatural element of the play is not only meant to intrigue the audience, but it is also an incentive for action. The supernatural appears to Macbeth in different forms throughout the play including a floating dagger, the three witches, a ghost, and prophetic apparitions. …show more content…
Macbeth’s friend Banquo becomes suspicious of Macbeth’s involvement in the death of King Duncan, so Macbeth hires an assassin to kill him after he fled to England. During a party, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo, and reacts with horror, “Prithee, see there! behold! Look! Lo! How say you? Why, what care I? If thou canst nod, speak too. If charnel-houses and our graves must send; Those that we bury back, our monuments; Shall be the maws of kites” (3.4.68-73). Banquo’s ghost begins to drive Macbeth mad, and he becomes very concerned about someone discovering his role in the murders of King Duncan and Banquo, “Blood hath been shed ere now, i' the olden time, Ere humane statute purged the gentle weal; Ay, and since too, murders have been perform'd; Too terrible for the ear: the times have been, That, when the brains were out, the man would die, And there an end; but now they rise again, With twenty mortal murders on their crowns, And push us from our stools: this is more strange; Than such a murder is” (3.4.75-83). This drives Macbeth to see the witches again to learn his …show more content…
During Macbeth’s final visit to them, he learns his head will be cut off by Macduff confirming the fears of his approaching death. The second apparition tells Macbeth that he can not be harmed by no one born of woman. This knowledge gives Macbeth a false sense of security because he believes that he cannot be harmed, yet Macduff was not of woman born, his mother was dead when Macduff was born. This leads to Macbeth's downfall. A child with a crown on his head, the third apparition, represents Malcolm, Duncan's son. This apparition also gives Macbeth a false sense of security because of the Birnam Wood