supernatural in macbeth essay plan

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Macbeth- Supernatural Essay

English (q300), university of nottingham, recommended for you, students also viewed.

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Plan: Beginning – Sisters and their prophecies Lady Macbeth’s evil spirits Banquos Ghost Throughout the play, Shakespeare employs the theme of supernatural as a destructive and manipulative characteristic possessed by the witches who deceive Macbeth and Lady Mac- beth’s minds into claiming a role which goes against the religious beliefs of the Jacobean audience. The Macbeths oppose the belief that God gave people their status in the social hierarchy and any attempt to “o’erleap” their rank, goes against the Great Chain of Being. Shakespeare conveys the supernatural at the very beginning of the play through the cho- rus of the witches chanting, ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair.’ This paradoxical rhyme schemes which the “three weird sisters” chant across the play creates a mysterious and gothic atmos- phere. Shakespeare has possibly employed this at the beginning to foreshadow the disturb- ing events of “foul” play of murder and bloodshed that awaits from the hands of Macbeth. Furthermore, this unusual way of conversing highlights how the power that witches possess is mysterious and adds to the ethereal nature of the play. This instantly puts the audience on edge as a Jacobean audience recognise witches as a symbol of bad omen so seeing them at the very beginning instantly gives them an unnerving experience. Also, Shakespeare explicitly emphasises the ill weather whenever the witches are seen by the audience as their “foul” schemes “hover through the fog and filthy air.” This may have been done by Shake- speare to illustrate how the witches’ supernatural powers catalyse Macbeth’s “black and deep desires” to follow the “bloody instructions” which inevitably prevents Macbeth’s senses from seeing what would be foul or fair just as he cannot seem to unsee a “dagger of the mind” before he commits the “deed” Shakespeare also presents the theme of supernatural through the character of Lady Mac- beth where her association with the supernatural violates her expected role as a domesti- cated and passive woman. This is reflected in her soliloquy when she demands the “evil spirits” to “unsex (her) here.” Lady Macbeth’s abrasive and masculine characteristics may have shocked the audience as she is presented as a direct abomination to the strict barriers that have been outlined by society. Her passion to become someone who she is not may also highlight how her seemingly inner appearance echoes the actual appearance of the witches when Banquo said he couldn’t interpret who the witches were as they had “beards.” Furthermore, lady Macbeths’ calling of the “spirits” may foreshadow the evil and immorality that is beginning to consume her. Shakespeare could possibly be emphasising how Lady Macbeths’ uncontrollable ambition to achieve power through the use of the supernatural will inevitably lead to her weaving her own path to damnation. This is confirmed later in the play when Lady Macbeth inability to sleep reflects her guilt, despite her previous interactions with the supernatural. She exclaims “Out damned spot...” which clearly shows her frustration with what she had committed. Lady Macbeth has become so engulfed in guilt that the power of the supernatural has control over her conscience and therefore she is unable to reaso n with reality. This is a stark contrast who Lady Macbeth was just after the murder when she said, “a little water clears us of this deed”. This projects the inability of even nature of battle with the crime that Lady Macbeth has committed: regicide. Similarly, Shakespeare also presents supernatural as a controlling factor through Macbeth who seems to be traumatised by the ghost of Banquo. The supernatural crumbles Macbeth’s sense of reality as Macbeth is the only person who can see the “bloody” figure. This is quite significant as Shakespeare continuously references to the motif of blood throughout the play to highlight the guilt that continues to eat away Macbeth’s sanity. Possibly, this blood that Macbeth now sees could symbolise his own blood as he is killed by Macduff. This scene could also be alluding to how the supernatural has caused Macbeth to become controlled

therefore led him to become paranoid. Furthermore, the idea of supernatural in the Banquet scene is further emphasised when Macbeth states that the murder of Banquo has ironically “push(ed) us from our stools” This irony which Shakespeare has implemented after the mur- der could foreshadow the future: Banquo’s ghost occupies Macbeth’s seat and thus Ban- quo’s descendants will occupy his throne.

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English Literature

Longer fiction or drama ii

Supernatural Themes in Macbeth Essay Plan for KS3 & GCSE

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Shakespeare's supernatural themes in Macbeth play a pivotal role in the narrative, character development, and overall thematic structure of the play. The supernatural elements serve multiple purposes, including:

• Highlighting the moral divide between characters
• Questioning Macbeth's sanity and morality
• Catalyzing Macbeth's downfall
• Potentially serving as royalist propaganda to flatter King James I

Key supernatural elements include the witches, prophecies, apparitions, and ghostly visions, which all contribute to the play's exploration of ambition, fate, and the consequences of unchecked desire for power.

Supernatural Essay Plan for Macbeth

This page outlines a comprehensive essay plan for analyzing the supernatural themes in Macbeth . The plan is structured to explore how supernatural elements function within the play and their significance to the overall narrative and character development.

Thesis and Main Points

The essay plan begins by establishing a clear thesis: supernatural elements are a dominant theme in Shakespeare's Macbeth, serving multiple crucial functions within the play. The main points to be explored include:

• The supernatural as a tool to elucidate the divide between Macbeth and Banquo
• Its use in questioning Macbeth's morality and sanity
• How it catalyzes Macbeth's inevitable downfall
• The possibility of the supernatural elements serving as royalist propaganda to flatter King James I

Highlight : The essay plan suggests exploring the idea that Shakespeare's use of supernatural themes may have been influenced by King James I's specific interest and paranoia about the supernatural, as evidenced by his authorship of "Daemonologie."

Character Analysis: Macbeth vs. Banquo

The plan emphasizes the importance of contrasting Macbeth's and Banquo's reactions to the supernatural at the beginning of the play:

• Banquo is presented as rational and skeptical towards the witches' claims, serving as a foil to Macbeth.
• Macbeth is immediately drawn in by the supernatural, echoing the witches' language and succumbing to their prophecies.

Quote : Banquo's skepticism is highlighted in his words: "that look not like th' inhabitants o' th' Earth and yet are on 't? - live you?"

Progression of Supernatural Influence

As the play progresses, the essay plan suggests exploring how the supernatural is used to question Macbeth's sanity and morality:

• The metaphorical or potentially real vision of the dagger before Macbeth murders Duncan
• Macbeth's moral crisis after the murder, referencing Roman mythology
• Macbeth's fear and reaction to Banquo's ghost

Quote : Macbeth's famous line, "Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand?" is highlighted as a key moment to analyze.

Macbeth's Downfall

The essay plan concludes by focusing on how the supernatural ultimately catalyzes Macbeth's downfall:

• Macbeth becomes increasingly reliant on the witches' prophecies
• The witches provide Macbeth with false security through ambiguous prophecies
• These prophecies ironically foreshadow Macbeth's defeat

Example : The plan suggests analyzing the prophecy "none of woman born shall harm Macbeth" and how it ironically describes Macduff, leading to Macbeth's overconfidence and eventual defeat.

Vocabulary : Hamartia - A term used in the essay plan, referring to a tragic flaw or error in judgment that leads to a character's downfall.

This comprehensive essay plan provides a solid foundation for exploring the supernatural elements in Macbeth , offering a structured approach to analyzing their significance in the play's themes, character development, and overall narrative.

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Supernatural in “Macbeth” Play by Shakespeare Essay

In William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth , the supernatural plays a crucial part in inspiring Macbeth’s actions. Supernatural elements create dramatic tension, with the witches’ predictions in Scene 3 of Act 1 as a critical instigating incident. Macbeth’s desire to replace Duncan as Scotland’s monarch is driven by otherworldly forces. The presence of the supernatural encourages the protagonists to feel superior and arrogant. The supernaturally manufactured predictions lure Macbeth and Banquo with the idea of power, leading Macbeth to plot the cruel murder of Duncan. Macbeth believes that by murdering his close friend Banquo, he will finally be able to live up to the prophecy that he will become king. At an earlier gathering that night, he had a supernatural encounter with the ghost of a recently departed friend. The prophecies of the three witches inspire Macbeth’s desire to murder Banquo, but he digs himself into a deeper hole in the process. The play’s sense of mystery is enhanced by Macbeth’s use of the bizarre (Hibbs and Hibbs 275). The play’s supernatural aspects drive the plot and elevate its tragic elements by leading the protagonist further away from the passage of the typical hero.

Any supernatural effect on his choices, particularly those involving murder, is purely voluntary. It is only fair that he takes some responsibility for the many failures and catastrophes he is brought on by depending on them. On the other hand, without the supernatural, it is unlikely that Macbeth would even have the courage to consider such notions, much alone act on them. Macbeth begins his journey of murder when he tells Lady Macbeth about the witches. He recalled how “these Weird Sisters hailed me and pointed to the advent of time with ‘Hail, the king that shalt be,’” as he put it (Shakespeare). The influence of the supernatural on his wife, Lady Macbeth, drove him to murder King Duncan; had he not informed her about his vision, events could have turned out differently. Once he reveals to Lady Macbeth the divine prophesy he got, he loses all chance of returning to his former noble life. The supernatural plays a significant role in Macbeth’s universe.

In Scene 1 of Act IV, Macbeth returns to the Weird Sisters and demands to see visions of his future. Macbeth is warned of Macduff’s vengeance by a severed warrior’s head. In the second scene, a little boy, covered in blood, promises Macbeth that no man “of woman born” can kill him. Macbeth will not be beaten in battle, the young king swears, as long as Birnam wood is physically transported to Dunsinane. Upon learning of these impossibilities, Macbeth exclaims, “reign in this kingdom?” (Schojbert 1). The witches have Banquo leading a ghostly parade of imaginary kings. This only infuriates Macbeth more, and he goes so far as to admit to the audience that he wants to murder the whole Macduff family because of his pride.

In this play, the supernatural aspect is genuine or verifiable. Since both Macbeth and Banquo see the witches, their presence is confirmed. The supernatural aspect adds to the drama by validating and concretizing the hero’s internal struggles. Therefore, Macbeth’s witches represent the guilt deep within his psyche. However, the supernatural aspect does not exert an overbearing force, and the hero is never made helpless or absolved of responsibility for his actions. Although it is only suggestive, the hero is under no obligation to act upon it. The supernatural plays a vital role in accelerating the hero’s demise and elevating the tragedy within the play but ultimately teaches the weight of responsibility for personal actions.

Works Cited

Schojbert, Haley. The Supernatural, the Demonic, and Witchcraft in Early Modern English plays: Macbeth, the Witch, the Witch of Edmonton, and Doctor Faustus . 2020. The State University of New York at New Paltz, MA thesis.

Hibbs, Thomas, and Stacey Hibbs. “ Virtue, Natural Law, and Supernatural Solicitation: A Thomistic Reading of Shakespeare’s Macbeth .” Religion and the Arts, vol 5, no 3, 2001, pp. 273- 296, Web.

Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Wordsworth Classics, 1992.

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IvyPanda. (2024, January 9). Supernatural in "Macbeth" Play by Shakespeare. https://ivypanda.com/essays/supernatural-in-macbeth-play-by-shakespeare/

"Supernatural in "Macbeth" Play by Shakespeare." IvyPanda , 9 Jan. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/supernatural-in-macbeth-play-by-shakespeare/.

IvyPanda . (2024) 'Supernatural in "Macbeth" Play by Shakespeare'. 9 January.

IvyPanda . 2024. "Supernatural in "Macbeth" Play by Shakespeare." January 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/supernatural-in-macbeth-play-by-shakespeare/.

1. IvyPanda . "Supernatural in "Macbeth" Play by Shakespeare." January 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/supernatural-in-macbeth-play-by-shakespeare/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Supernatural in "Macbeth" Play by Shakespeare." January 9, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/supernatural-in-macbeth-play-by-shakespeare/.

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