Macbeth Supernatural Analysis

Macbeth shows no worry towards his unloyal thanes though, only focusing on what he can do to continue holding onto the crown. Through deception and desperation, Macbeth convinces men to murder Banquo so he could remain

Annette Valdouin Ms.Dalton English 01/10/16 The Supernatural in Macbeth In the Shakespearean play Macbeth, Shakespeare includes supernatural elements such as the imaginary dagger, Banquo’s ghost, and the witches apparitions to give the audience insight as to how fragile Macbeth’s psyche is. In act two Macbeth is readying himself to kill King Duncan when he says, “Is this a dagger which I see before me,/The handle toward my hand?” (2.1.33-34).

Although Banquo’s ghost is most likely Macbeth’s insanity, the possibility that the ghost is there simply to torture Macbeth, as he believes that “It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood.” (III, iv, 128). Appearances versus reality does not just include faux visions, but people being fake externally as well. This can be seen by Lady Macbeth telling her husband to “Look like th ' innocent flower, But be the serpent under ’t.”, which means that she wants her husband to seem as if he is innocent, while preparing to murder Duncan (I, v, 56-58).

For example, no one was aware of Claudius’s involvement in King Hamlet’s death. Similarly, Claudius is

and obtains the title, which trigger an arrogant and self-absorbed thinking leading to madness and finally, death. The play seems to bring up the question, whether Macbeth is fully responsible of his own destiny, or under control of fate. In the first glance, the play seems to take rather fatalistic direction, meaning that we are powerless to make decisions as they are inevitably determined by supernatural power (Hugh 1)) It is due to the presence of supernatural forces throughout the whole play that systematically fulfills the prophecy; therefore the witches represent the idea of fate in the play. However, Shakespeare seems to rather intertwine fate with free will and perhaps even promotes the second philosophy as the play evolves.

In fact, Macbeth becomes fascinated by them, "would they had stayed." Banquo serves as his conscience, perhaps representing the period audience who would have also thought the witches to be evil and unnatural, and warns him of the dangers of trusting such supernatural messengers; a warning that goes unheeded. After hearing the prophecy, Macbeth already thinks about, "murder," and becomes preoccupied with thoughts of becoming king showing the powerful hold they have over him with only one meeting, scaring the audience who would have believed in Witches. Macbeth believes the Witches as there first prophecy came true and ignores the fact that they’re evil beings whereas Banquo recognizes them for what they are. He even informs his most beloved, Lady Macbeth, who also shares his ambition.

/ Nay, never lay thy hand upon thy sword. / I fear thee not” (5.83.53-5). Leonato connects Claudio’s wronging him and a warrior’s slay another in battle. He makes this parallel to invoke Claudio into showing any form of guilt over having killed Hero. Leonato also implies that Claudio shouldn’t fight him because he has already wronged him and, to murder him would be overkill.

However, I believe that Brutus was portraying a patriot by killing Caesar, he knew Cassius had planned something harsh for Caesar and I consider Brutus thought that Caesar didn’t deserve to be killed off that way. So, he took action and did what he needed to do to save Caesar from being tortured or killed higher than he needed to be. Even when Cassius plants artificial notes that are from “Rome”, Brutus knew the truth and didn’t want people to be slaves to Caesar when Caesar didn’t write them in the first place. Brutus might also be seen as a traitor as a result of him killing himself rather than being captured for life for what he did to Caesar.

He is neither a hero nor a villain rather he is a victim of his self-indulgence. (Bloom. 249-150) In Shakespeare 's view, Richard is a failure as a king not because he is immoral, nor because he is too sensitive and refined for the job, but because he misunderstands the nature of kingship. (Elliott. History and

Often, it is the responsibility of oneself to determine the outcome of your life, however there will always be influential people who either directly or indirectly affect the decisions made. Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a play believed to be written in 1605, focusing on the downwards spiral of Macbeth after he murders King Duncan in order to become King of Scotland, consequently developing feelings of guilt and paranoia. Through the establishment of atmosphere, comments on the actions of major characters, and foreshadowing events, Shakespeare develops the minor characters which include the Three Witches, Macduff, and the Murderers, to support and further prompt the development of the major characters, as well as to communicate essential moral truths and trite platitudes.

When Macbeth is told by the first vision that he needs to beware of Macduff, his fears are confirmed that Macduff is a threat. When Macbeth is told this, he decides to kill Macduff’s family (Mac IV.i.71-74). Just like the witches, the apparition does not force Macbeth to act upon what he has been told, but still steers Macbeth towards violent

Shakespeare used known beliefs about witches and witchcraft in his play Macbeth. All of the stories of witchcraft usually end up being almost the same as other stories. Many people that were convicted of witchcraft were not actually witches. But, they may have been studying witchcraft and for that they were either hung or burned.