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Macbeth Supernatural Analysis

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The supernatural as a warning mechanism
Firstly, a number of supernatural predictions and paranormal occurrences in both tragedies serve as symbolic warning mechanisms that can potentially prevent tragic affairs of all main characters. In addition to verbal warnings, characters in Macbeth and Julius Caesar observe strange behaviour of animals and abnormal incidents, suggesting that something unnatural is about to take place (Amuthenu 2014). In Macbeth, the protagonist 's encounters with three witches trigger his dormant ambitions to replace Duncan as a king, and Macbeth 's actions follow his own personal logic rather than reacting to external stimuli. In Act 4 Scene 1, Macbeth observes three apparitions and a procession of eight kings that …show more content…

Similarly, Julius Caesar is presented with predictions and numerous warnings that he chooses to ignore. Initially, one learns about unnatural occurrences witnessed by the people of Rome. Casca recounts seeing a common slave 's hand on fire that 'remain 'd unschorch 'd ', a lion without his animal instinct to kill, women 'who swore they saw Men all in fire walk up and down the streets ', and an owl that 'sit even at noon-day upon the market-place, hooting and shrieking ' (1.3.15-28). These general disturbances are accompanied with direct predictions; a soothsayer warns Caesar to 'beware the Ides of March ' (1.2.21), and Caesar 's wife Calpurnia dreams about Caesar 's statue, 'which like a fountain with an hundred spouts, / Did run pure blood ' (2.2.80-82). However, Caesar disregards these warnings in order to leave for the Senate and perform his duties, and is consequently murdered by conspirators. Therefore, a human error of interpretation and ignorance on the one hand (Macbeth), and a sense of honour and duty on the other (Caesar), overrule supernatural warnings with possible benevolent outcomes, and Shakespeare 's tragic characters are not influenced by symbolic functions of supernatural forces. As Mosely (1991) observes, 'they merely say what shall be and leave the chain of circumstance

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Readers of Macbeth can look at him from different perspectives; a troubled man who fell to the dark side, or an arrogant, power hungry man who got what he deserved at the end. Macbeth by William Shakespeare tells the story about a man who was so desperate for power that he was willing to do anything to keep it. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is considered a war hero and along with his then friend, Banquo, is called upon by three witches who tell him he will be the next king. His wife, Lady Macbeth, is a power hungry figure who convinces him to kill King Duncan, to fulfill his prophecies.

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Thinking before acting leads to greater wisdom and better outcomes while acting before thinking yields regret. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, many characters are murdered as a method of solving existing problems. Throughout the play, it is noticeable that these deaths can all be related back to two malevolent beings. These characters in their horrific minds are to blame for the deaths of innocent people. Macbeth, in his willingness to commit severe crimes for personal benefit, and the witches, in their desire to toy with Macbeth through their ambiguous prophecies, are equally responsible for nearly all the murders in the play.

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In act four of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" Macbeth murders most of a noble man's family out of impulse and paranoia. He suspected said nobleman of plotting against him, and much like the murder of his friend Banquo, he killed him before he got the chance. But this murder is not like the ones before it, this one is much more sinister. The man Macbeth suspected, Maduff, was suspect because he refused to show up to any events that Macbeth attended, and when Macbeth went to ask the witches they warned him Macduff was to be cautioned. This time Macbeth decides right away that Macduff must go.

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Supernatural elements can be seen in Macbeth through the witches and their unusual powers. The witches appear to be helpful in giving Macbeth his prophecy, but in reality want only to stir up trouble and cause strife throughout the kingdom. Although Macbeth wants the witches to tell him his prophecy, he is also afraid to act on these newly found predictions for fear of the inevitable guilt he will then have to face. Macbeth states that the witches as "Instruments of darkness" in order to explain to readers that even though the witches appear to be helping Macbeth, in reality they are causing more harm than good and creating evil thoughts within the characters minds. Macbeth’s prophecy began his desire for power, which led to his struggle with guilt.

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They show him three apparitions and then a group of kings. The first two apparitions are mentioned in the stage directions but never described in spoken text. Those being of a floating armored head and a bloody child. The last apparition is described by Macbeth as “[it] rises like the issue of a king,/ And wears upon his baby-brow the round/ And top of sovereignty?”

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Macbeth Essay: Influence of the Supernatural Throughout the Shakespearean play, Macbeth, the supernatural plays a part in all the events in the play. The witches, the floating dagger, and the prophetic apparitions are all examples of the supernatural intertwining with the play. From the murder of King Duncan to Macbeth’s eventual death, the supernatural played a part in most of Macbeth’s actions.

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The supernatural motivates Macbeth comprehensively, to the extent that he murders King Duncan, Banquo and Macduff 's family. It galvanises him to do things that otherwise he would have thought were ludicrous. Firstly, the witches prophecies stimulated Macbeth to kill the ones he loves, as a consequence losing friends that were loyal to him. Additionally, Banquo 's ghost caused Macbeth to feel guilt and fear, causing him to rely on the witches’ predictions and having a false feeling of security. Finally, the vision of a bloody dagger that appeared right before the murder encouraged Macbeth to kill King Duncan.

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From honored soldier to murderous tyrant, Macbeth killed his way into power. He was informed of his “destiny” and stopped at nothing to achieve it. He had multiple chances to rethink his actions. He didn 't however, he kept on his march to power leaving only himself to blame. Macbeth is the only one to blame for his actions and ultimately, his death.

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“Come you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here/ And fill me from the crown to the toe topfull/ Of direst cruelty; make thick my blood,/ Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse.” (1.5.38-42). In William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, Lady Macbeth is asking the spirits to make her like a man, make her cruel, and not allow her to feel remorse so she can have the strength for King Duncan's murder. On many separate occasions that Lady Macbeth reveals the spirits inside her.

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Often times in literature, the downfall of a character arises due to both external and internal forces. In Macbeth, William Shakespeare demonstrates that the downfall of Macbeth arises due to both internal and external forces, but among the two, internal forces have a greater influence on the outcome. The forces of Macbeth’s own nature, the supernatural and Lady Macbeth all contribute to his downfall but the true deciding factors are the forces within. The external forces that affect Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the witches, prompt Macbeth into doing actions and making decisions that lead to his downfall.

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By portraying Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s loss of moral discipline, Shakespeare accentuates the calamitous corruption of human nature, and warns society that ambition without

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What is it to be good or evil? Truthful versus deceitful? In Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Macbeth is given a prophecy by three witches that he shall be King and Banquo, his noble friend, shall be the father of kings. Macbeth didn 't like the idea of sharing power and wanted it all to himself. He contemplates killing King Duncan but is forced to commit to it by his wife, Lady Macbeth.

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In the time of William Shakespeare, there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. And so, it was a repeating aspect in many of Shakespeare’s plays. In Macbeth, the supernatural is a necessary aspect of the structure of the plot. It’s a catalyst for action, which means the audience at that time would have taken these ideas seriously. This made the play more intense and stimulating for the audience.

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