Emily Crocker
Ms. Beach
Macbeth Research Paper
14 November 2014
Supernatural Elements The element of the supernatural is apparent in many of Shakespeare’s works. Supernatural is defined as “not explainable by the known forces or laws of nature; specifically, of or involving God, ghosts, spirits, etc.” (Agnes 647). In Macbeth, the elements of supernatural are important because it develops the structure and plot as well as drama and emphasis. “The supernatural is part of the framework of the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the supernatural devices to indicate the course of past, current and future events” (Jan 97). Most literary professionals believe that Shakespeare’s works were aimed at the King of Scotland, James I. They also …show more content…
The rest of the play is based on this supernatural interaction between the witches and Macbeth. Action stirs as Macbeth now knows what his future has in store. His evil actions then lead to the murder of the current king, Duncan. “They do not influence him in any concrete manner, but the effect of the prophecy is to make Macbeth start as if he were already guilty of harboring dangerous ideas” (Sen). Macbeth continues to return to the witches over the course of the play to learn of his fate and to take their …show more content…
“The supernatural powers are the superhuman powers which appear in the play to suggest the predetermined patterns of events in the human life… Shakespeare allows a limited free will in this tragic picture of the universe. In Macbeth, Shakespeare preserves the precarious balance of fate and free will” (Jan 97). Every rising action in Macbeth is sparked by an element of the supernatural. The prophecies of the witches, the pressure from his wife, and the fate of the apparitions shaped Macbeth into the character he developed over the course of the play. “The witches tempt. Lady Macbeth persuades. But Macbeth acts himself. If we feel that his sin is decreed, we also feel that temptation could be resisted. The force of ambition that drives him to action seems to be the force of fate. Having one initiated an action, he is trammelled up in its consequences. The more he dives into his crime, the more he loses his humility and the course of action set for him. The damnation that Macbeth meets is his own earning” (Jan 99). The witches, witchcraft, apparitions, ghosts, floating daggers, and hallucinations all enhance the play drastically. Overall, without the supernatural element, Macbeth lacks suspense, and the motivation it takes for the reader to
Ms. Beach
Macbeth Research Paper
14 November 2014
Supernatural Elements The element of the supernatural is apparent in many of Shakespeare’s works. Supernatural is defined as “not explainable by the known forces or laws of nature; specifically, of or involving God, ghosts, spirits, etc.” (Agnes 647). In Macbeth, the elements of supernatural are important because it develops the structure and plot as well as drama and emphasis. “The supernatural is part of the framework of the Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the supernatural devices to indicate the course of past, current and future events” (Jan 97). Most literary professionals believe that Shakespeare’s works were aimed at the King of Scotland, James I. They also …show more content…
The rest of the play is based on this supernatural interaction between the witches and Macbeth. Action stirs as Macbeth now knows what his future has in store. His evil actions then lead to the murder of the current king, Duncan. “They do not influence him in any concrete manner, but the effect of the prophecy is to make Macbeth start as if he were already guilty of harboring dangerous ideas” (Sen). Macbeth continues to return to the witches over the course of the play to learn of his fate and to take their …show more content…
“The supernatural powers are the superhuman powers which appear in the play to suggest the predetermined patterns of events in the human life… Shakespeare allows a limited free will in this tragic picture of the universe. In Macbeth, Shakespeare preserves the precarious balance of fate and free will” (Jan 97). Every rising action in Macbeth is sparked by an element of the supernatural. The prophecies of the witches, the pressure from his wife, and the fate of the apparitions shaped Macbeth into the character he developed over the course of the play. “The witches tempt. Lady Macbeth persuades. But Macbeth acts himself. If we feel that his sin is decreed, we also feel that temptation could be resisted. The force of ambition that drives him to action seems to be the force of fate. Having one initiated an action, he is trammelled up in its consequences. The more he dives into his crime, the more he loses his humility and the course of action set for him. The damnation that Macbeth meets is his own earning” (Jan 99). The witches, witchcraft, apparitions, ghosts, floating daggers, and hallucinations all enhance the play drastically. Overall, without the supernatural element, Macbeth lacks suspense, and the motivation it takes for the reader to