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What Role Does The Supernatural Play In Macbeth

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In the book Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, the element of the supernatural plays a key role in the story line and also the outcome of many of the characters that you meet. From the very first scene that the witches and apparitions are introduced, they are already impacting how the story will end. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth put their lives into the hands of the three sisters which eventually lead to their death. The supernatural is undoubtedly the sole reason for Macbeth’s changed fate which then leads to his demise. The only reason that they are helping Macbeth is in their own pleasure, they have no interest in whether or not things will turn out well for him. Not only do the witches control Macbeth 's fate, but they also form a relationship with him that causes other aspects of his life to be changed. In the scenes that the Witches and Macbeth were together, they influenced Macbeth’s speech pattern to mimic their …show more content…

Banquo became a problem to Macbeth when he threatened to reveal his plan to Duncan. Macbeth could not take the risk of him finding out so he took matters into his own hand. Not wanting to be directly connected to the killing, Macbeth hired murderers to have him killed “Both of you, know Banquo was your enemy.” (3.1.124-25) Macbeth convinced them that Banquo was an enemy to all of them and needed to be killed as soon as possible. Macbeth saw him as a threat on his life and the longer that Banquo was alive, the more chances he had to tell the king of what was going to happen “So is he mine; and in such bloody distance, that every minute of his being thrusts against my near’st of life” (3.1.127-29). The witches are to blame for his death because if they had never told Macbeth the prophecies he wouldn’t have to kill Duncan. Many authors have argued that the witches didn’t help the plot because they have altered too much of what goes on. If they were never included, many main characters wouldn’t have to die in the hands of the supernatural

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With Macbeth being a general in the Scottish military, he had major influences on people and their daily lives. After the murder of King Duncan, Banquo’s suspicion of who committed the murders arose around a single suspect, Macbeth. Knowing that Banquo most likely knew the truth that Macbeth killed King Duncan, Macbeth went back to his evil ways with ease. Through his attendant, Macbeth summons three murderers. Shakespeare introduces the murders with stage direction “[Re-enter Attendant, with two Murderers]” (Shakespeare, 363), in which Macbeth he uses Banquo as bait in order to gain their graces and loyalty “That it was he in the times past which held you so under fortune, which you thought had been our innocent self: this I made good to you in our last conference, pass'd in probation with you, how you were borne in hand, how cross'd, the instruments, who wrought with them, and all things else that might, so half a soul and to a notion crazed, Say 'Thus did Banquo.'”

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Importance of control elsewhere in the play • How control is shown • Reasons for control within the play Control is a recurring theme in the play "Macbeth" as it warns the audience of the repercussions of trying to control your fate. The first key event where control features in a significant way is the witches' prophecies. They tell Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland which establishes the importance of fate. Shakespeare conveys the witches as agents of evil that are deceptive and dangerous, "oftentimes to win us to our harm/the instruments of darkness tell us truths," showing that they use truth itself to influence a horrible outcome (Macbeth's tragic demise.) Their message is compelling and attractive and we

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Shakespeare's implies this by having them appear as crucial forces. The witches foreshadow upcoming events that are happening to individuals. The corrupted witches have the abilities higher than human existence. They instruct Macbeth that his prophecy will direct him to the actions he does. Macbeth is easily influenced and pays attention to the weird sisters.

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Many people believe it is the witches that drive the plot, however this is not true. The witches do play a part in driving the plot but MacBeth is the main character who carries out the actions. The witches gave MacBeth the ambition by saying "All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!" (I.iii.53). However it is ultimately MacBeth that decides to act on the ambition granted to him.

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His capricious and malicious acts prove how naive and vile he is as a person. Macbeth even attempts to kill Banquo to prevent any trace of his nature from making him, a “fruitless crown.” Macbeth states, “Must lave or honors in the flattering streams, and make our face vizards to our heart, disguising who we are,”(3.2.45). With such desperation, Macbeth is willing to include other people in his premeditated murder. By having Lady Macbeth be part of his plot to kill Banquo, Macbeth reveals two things about himself: That he does not value those around him, even if they are his loved ones, and that he places his personal success over all aspects of his life.

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Additionally, it also accentuates the unjust nature of Banquo’s murder later on. This is due to the fact that unlike Macbeth, he remained true to his reputation until his death. The night that King Duncan is scheduled to visit Macbeth’s, Lady Macbeth warns him to act normal to avoid suspicion and

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The supernatural theme is present in both Macbeth and The Crucible, and plays a role in the downfall of the protagonists in each play. As previously stated, in Macbeth, the manipulative ambition of Macbeth was initially driven by the three witches, who supposedly see Macbeth as ruler of Scotland. In the opening scene of the play, Macbeth and Banquo visit the three witches and are each given a prophecy. Macbeth is seen as king whereas Banquo’s sons are seen as several kings. This supernatural prophecy drove Macbeth into murdering Duncan and Banquo.

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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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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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Furthermore, the murder of Banquo led Macbeth to destruction. Later in the play, Macbeth was troubled by the Banquo’s ghost. Macbeth acts out of desperation to get rid of Banquo’s ghost (III, iv, 82-7). Here, it shows Macbeth’s destruction of mind, which is fuelled by his fear and guilt. Eventually, Macbeth’s

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1146 Words | 5 Pages

Before the main character has any part in the play the witches start it off in ominous mutterings about wicked acts and the future. The fear among the audience is set before Macbeth even thinks about killing anybody. Macbeth is then told by the witches about things that are supposed to happen in his future, and assuming they are telling the truth he believes them. Not only does he believe them but he himself commits acts that make them come true. This is another representation of how people believed they could be affected by witches.

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430 Words | 2 Pages

Once he acquired his seat as king banquo was a threat to him and needed to be gone. He mentions how his seat as king is worthless if not safe shortly before having him killed. Macbeth needed to kill Macduff's family so said “His wife, babies, and all unfortunate souls

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He first orders for Banquo and his son, Fleance, to be killed because the witches had also predicted that Banquo’s son will become king. Macbeth says in regards to Banquo, “There is none but he whose being I do fear... Given to the common enemy of man, to make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings (Act 3, Scene 1)!” Banquo is

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685 Words | 3 Pages

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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876 Words | 4 Pages

Macbeth started off as a valiant and courageous soldier, who would do anything for the king. By the end of the play, Macbeth was a tyrant and a horrible leader who killed those who trusted him to maintain the throne. It takes many factors to take a strong man and transform him into an evil monster. Macbeth’s downfall was caused by the deception and temptation of the witches and their prophecies, Lady Macbeth’s greed and aspirations for her husband to be king, and Macbeth’s own greed, jealousy and ambition.

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