Supernatural Influence On Macbeth

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. The presence of the witches is the first supernatural element that Macbeth meets. One would assume that the witches could be blamed for influencing Macbeth with their prophecies. The witches are able to make Macbeth acknowledge his own dark desires. In Act I, Scene III, the three witches call out one after the other claiming “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, Thane of Glamis! / All hail, Macbeth! Hail to you, Thane of Cawdor! / All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be

As such, Macbeth is once again influenced by what the witches call upon. Three apparitions appear before Macbeth. The first apparition is his own severed head, confirming his fears about Macduff. In Act IV, Scene I, the apparitions say these words “Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff, Beware the thane of Fife. Dismiss me. Enough.” (1329) This prophecy tells Macbeth that Macduff’s intentions toward him are not good. The second apparition lures Macbeth into a false sense of security as it tells him that he cannot be harmed by anyone one born of a woman. It says “Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” (1329) Macbeth cannot imagine how a man could not be born of a woman and feels invincible. This also references MacDuff who was born by caesarian section instead of a natural birth. The final apparition is a child with a crown, which once again gives Macbeth a false sense of security as it states he will not fall until a battle of Birnam Woods. The apparition