The Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth      Shakespeare’s Macbeth has many supernatural actions. Although all of supernatural do not have exactly same role in the play, the main purposes of supernatural are to attract the attention from audience [manipulation], to foreshadow future events, to show the characteristics of individual, and to connect the idea with theme. In the play, the supernatural occurs: witchesà ­ appearance throughout the story, the strange behavior of Macbeth after the murderer of King Duncan, the situation of nature in Scotland, appearance of Banquoà ­s ghost and imagination of dagger which was flying in the air. Firstly, the story starts with weird sistersà ­ conversation under strong thunder and lightning. It is very effective way to attract the attention from audience: First Witch says with scary voice, "When shall we three meet again, In thunder, lightning, or in rain ?" (I, i, 1-2) The very first scene is not only attractive, but also there is an important clue for the things to be happened in the future [foreshadowing]. We learn that there is something going to happen with Macbeth à ± Macbeth wins for his life, but he also is going to lose for his life: "There to meet with Macbeth" (I, i, 7) "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." (I, i, 11)The speech of Witches also contains a theme. "When one wins, one must lose" is a possible theme that can be taken from the speech: "When the battle is lost and won" (I, i, 4) The witches continue appearing throughout the story to give us the excitement, hint and theme.    Secondly, Macbeth loses his mind after the killing of King Duncan. Is it attractive ? By considering the situation, it can be said that it is attractive à ± When he reenters into the play after killing of Duncan, he is a completely different man, like a stone. We must be surprised that if Macbeth is standing up with bloody face, bloody swords in his hands and talks something that does not make senses at all: "Why did you bring these daggers from the place ?" (II, ii, 48) It also shows characteristics of Macbeth. Macbeth can easily fall into a confusion that he cannot recognize.    Thirdly, later in the story, Macbeth sees the Ghost of Banquo and the dagger in the air. However, the Ghost and dagger are only visible to Macbeth, and no one else is able to