Superstition is a major motivation for human beings because it targets specific fear and panic triggers in the human brain. This leads people to do extreme and usually violent things in order to protect themselves. Because of this universal effect on humans, superstition is often an evident theme in literature. In Shakespeare's Macbeth, superstition plays a significant role in the development of the main character Macbeth. Through the use of soliloquies and character development the reader observes Macbeth's superstition alter him from a loyal, responsible character into a deceitful, selfish murderer. Shakespeare accomplishes this by drawing on the actual the fears and superstitions of his 17th century audience and in particular King James in regards to his fear of witches. In the character of Macbeth, Shakespeare paints a picture of a man who, by believing so firmly in the words of the witches and by allowing his mind to be corrupted by their speech, becomes torn apart by irrational fears and superstition.
Shakespeare makes the
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In the first part of the play, Macbeth's original corruption is due in part to Lady Macbeth because her words and actions lead him to believe the prophecies of the witches to be gospel. Shakespeare draws on the 17th century fears and superstitions about witches and demonizes her by giving her more witch-like characteristics. As Levin states about her, "A secularized witch, Lady Macbeth focuses dominant culture fears of the maternal body and imagination" (Levin 42). Lady Macbeth lacked remorse in regards to murder and was eager to provoke Macbeth to do the same. It was not difficult for her to coerce Macbeth into sharing her beliefs because he had trusted and loved her. Her successful coercion strengthened his superstitions, eventually leading him to his