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The Motifs Of The Supernatural In Shakespeare's Macbeth

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In Shakespeare’s play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of the supernatural to control the characters and add a new element to the play. In his era, there was an outburst of belief in witchcraft and superstition which led the people of that time to have a strong hatred for witches who held various tests and trials to determine fate. Throughout the play, we see Macbeth go through a transformation after he is told he will become Thane of Cawdor and then king by three witches. This prophecy from the witches causes Macbeth to lose his mind and to do things he would not have done if he was sane. Shakespeare uses the three witches, the dagger, and the ghosts as supernatural elements in Macbeth to show how they influence the character’s minds, …show more content…

In act one, Banquo and Macbeth are walking from the battlefield when the three witches hail Macbeth as Thane of Cawdor, Thane of Glamis, and King of Scotland. Banquo is told by the witches that his sons will become kings but he will not be one. “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (Shakespeare 19). Macbeth expresses his fear that the prophecies of the witches will come true. He believes that the only way he will become king is if Banquo is dead and makes it clear that he must eliminate Banquo and his sons to rise to power. “To make them kings, the seeds of Banquo kings. Rather than so, come fate into the list, and champion me to th’ utterance” (Shakespeare 85). The three witches cause Macbeth to fall deeper into insanity because of the prophecies they have given, causing him to order the murders of Macduff, Banquo, and King …show more content…

During the banquet, the ghost of Banquo appears to only Macbeth. He becomes frightened and almost loses his sanity; this becomes a turning point in the play. “Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee. Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes which thou dost glare with” (Shakespeare 105). The appearance of Banquo’s ghost gives the audience an understanding of Macbeth’s character and the deterioration of his state of mind. The ghost is a supernatural symbol of all the crimes Macbeth has committed, also showing that there could have been a better path to

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He tries everything he can to rid himself of the witches' forecasts. He dispatches assassins to kill Banquo and his son as soon as he recalls the prophecy that Banquo will be greater than him. When the three witches reveal their final prophecies, he feels safe. Macbeth's murder of the king exemplifies his attempt to

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1525 Words | 7 Pages

“Avaunt, and quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee. / Thy bones are marrowless; thy blood is cold; / Thou hast no speculation in those eyes / Which thou dost glare with” (3.4.93-96). Macbeth hallucinates and claims that he sees Banquo’s ghost.

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However, Banquo’s prophecy from the witches incites anger in Macbeth and brings him closer to his own death by causing him to do something unthinkable: order someone to be murdered. After Banquo asks the witches about what should happen later in his life, the witches say, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none” (1.3.65). In other words, the witches tell Banquo that he himself will not be king, but his sons will be kings. This paradox implies Banquo’s descendants will get a chance to be powerful, unlike Banquo. Eventually, this information drives Macbeth, in his quest for never-ending power, to make sure no one will take the position of king from him.

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The imagery Shakespeare uses to display Banquo 's ghost appearing to Macbeth illuminates Macbeth’s out of touch with reality. When Macbeth frantically says “Prithee, see there! Behold! Look! Lo!

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Being that Banquo seemed suspicious of Macbeth subsequently the night of the king 's death. Apprehensive of his throne Macbeth would do anything in his power to prevent even the slightest chance for anyone to take the throne from him.

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After Macbeth hires murderers to kill Banquo, he is “greeted by” the ghost of Banquo while at a Banquet. He sees the ghost and starts speaking to it, while the others are watching. He says

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First, Macbeth sees that all of the seats at the dinner table are full and he sees Banquo sitting in his seat. While everyone around the dinner table is watching, Macbeth begins to speak to Banquo’s ghost. This hallucination suggests that Macbeth is guilty of committing murder not only on Duncan to earn the crown, but on one of his friends. He feels regret and Banquo’s ghost is a reminder of his actions. Banquo’s ghost appears at a bad time in the play because the guests sitting around the dinner table begin to question his actions which eventually leads to

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After achieving the title of the King of Scotland, Macbeth wants to secure his position as the king and desires to inherit the Scottish throne to his ancestors. His aim was showed in “To be thus is nothing, /But to be safely thus” (III, i, 52-3). This quote reveals that Macbeth not only wanted to become the king but also wants to secure his position as the King of Scotland for the welfare of his upcoming generation. This reveals Macbeth’s is implying the witches’ prophecies; as long Banquo’s sons live, Macbeth’s throne would not be able to inherit down to his ancestors. As the play progresses, Macbeth’s hires murderers to kill Banquo and his son, Fleance, as represented through, “Banquo, thy soul’s flight, /If

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Then, he hires murderers to kill Banquo and Fleance (Banquo’s son). They kill Banquo but Fleance manages to escape. Back at the castle during the banquet, Banquo’s ghost appears. Macbeth is struck with fear and guilt when he sees it. This is when Macbeth, for the first time, is expressing his internal guilt.

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Banquo. ... To me, you ask not. If you can look into the seeds of time and say which grain will grow and which will not, speak, then, to me, who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate.(1.3.57-61). This quote explains how fate is being decided by the three witches to make Macbeth believe he will become king soon and Banquo long generation of royalty.

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It's just, I seen the ghost of the one I murdered, Banquo. [Servant gets closer to the hallway where he sees the two talking] Lady Macbeth: Don’t be silly sir, you did not see the ghost of Banquo. You are just worried people may find out that you planned the murder of your once dearest friend Banquo. Macbeth: I’m not being silly my lady.

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At this point, the Ghost of Banquo appears at the party. The appearance of the ghost distracts Macbeth, which can be shown by his distracted conscience. Some instances are when Macbeth says “Thou canst not say I did it; / never shake / thy gory locks at me.” and “Avaunt, and quit my sight!” to the ghost.

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1398 Words | 6 Pages

By seeing Banquo as a ghost, Macbeth believes that his acts have come to haunt him for revenge. The guests at the dinner party are confused by

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Moreover, he does not display any remorse for his evil actions since he has now become consumed by his position of king. As well, he is easily deluded by Lady Macbeth and her desires which encourage Macbeth to commit yet another murder - Banquo, his former friend and army colleague. At this point in the play, Macbeth is seen as thoroughly corrupted by evil through the eyes of the characters and the audience. The appearance of Banquo’s ghost indicates Macbeth’s guilty conscience about his actions, yet Macbeth presents two faces during the scene. On one hand he is affected emotionally by his deed, while on the other hand he pretends to feel sadness at the parting of his former friend, Banquo, as demonstrated in the following quote: “I drink to th’general joy o’th’whole table,

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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! /

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