ipl-logo

How Does The Supernatural Affect Macbeth

617 Words3 Pages

In Shakespeare's Macbeth the main character, Macbeth, goes to great lengths to secure his throne and is affected by the lengths he takes in many ways. The supernatural is a powerful force that plays a role in Macbeth. Macbeth connects the supernatural to fate and free will. The effects of the supernatural cause the forthcoming of many deaths throughout the play.
The supernatural affects the way Macbeht views the world. After the Wïerd Sisters prophecy Macbeth begins to question whether the prophecy is good or bad. He faces an internal struggle that changes the way he views the world. “This supernatural soliciting Cannot be ill, cannot be good. If ill, Why hath it given me earnest of success, Commencing in a truth? I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, …show more content…

“Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going; And such an instrument I was to use. I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” Macbeth has a vision of a dagger and is reminded of what he is going to do tonight. Macbeth is going to kill King Duncan and he wants to do this because he believes he deserves to be king. Macbeth hears the bells which are a symbol of invitation in this book and in this case an invitation to kill the king. The supernatural is something that Macbeth accepts and he does not try to resist it. The supernatural leads to the killing of king duncan. The supernatural prophecy of the witches affects Macbeth's daily life because of the knowledge how and when he will be killed. “Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill Shall come Against him.”(Shakespeare.4.1.106-107) It is prophesied that Macbeth will be killed. He tries to avoid being killed because he believes he deserves to be king. Macbeth's reaction to this is to kill Macduff’s whole family because he thinks that Macduff is suspicious of him. Slowly throughout the story the supernatural has a greater impact on Macbeth and the choices he makes. He falls into a slippery slope. By the end of the book he has killed more people than he intended to. Because the witches gave him the prophecies he decided to kill more people to protect

Open Document