Explain the Role Played by the Supernatural in Macbeth
Explain the Role Played by the Supernatural in Macbeth
The play begins with a supernatural scene, where the three witches meet and give many clues as to who they are or what they have control over,
“…We three meet again in thunder, lighting or in rain? When the battle’s lost and won….That will be ere the set of sun….There to meet with Macbeth.”
This scene sets the atmosphere for the rest of the play. If this scene was not there it would be difficult for the audience to understand how later scenes are linked or how these three women can tell Macbeth’s future. Also if elements of the supernatural were not used in Act 1 Scene 1, as they have been, the witches could not be shown as sinister and evil. These two elements of horror, “sinister” and “evil” would later be used to explain the cause of the three witches’ behaviour further on in the play.
As the play continues the supernatural is used more. Act 1 Scene 3 is Macbeth’s first meeting with the witches, and is also the first time the audience sees or experiences the witches’ supernatural abilities.
“All hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter”.
The witches predict Macbeth’s future and tell him that he shall become the Thane of Cawdor and then king. The rest of the play is based on this supernatural happening. After learning that Macbeth is to become King of Scotland the play follows Macbeth’s plot to get rid of King Duncan and then Macbeth’s life after the murder.
Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor and has a strong belief in the witches’ predictions. King Duncan is to stay at Macbeth’s castle. Macbeth is overwhelmed to hear this and travels ahead of the King to warn his wife of King Duncan’s arrival the following day. Lady Macbeth is aware of Macbeth’s meeting with the witches and what they have said. She is more wanting of the royal title than her husband, and has deviously plotted to murder the King during his stay. Again the supernatural is
The play begins with a supernatural scene, where the three witches meet and give many clues as to who they are or what they have control over,
“…We three meet again in thunder, lighting or in rain? When the battle’s lost and won….That will be ere the set of sun….There to meet with Macbeth.”
This scene sets the atmosphere for the rest of the play. If this scene was not there it would be difficult for the audience to understand how later scenes are linked or how these three women can tell Macbeth’s future. Also if elements of the supernatural were not used in Act 1 Scene 1, as they have been, the witches could not be shown as sinister and evil. These two elements of horror, “sinister” and “evil” would later be used to explain the cause of the three witches’ behaviour further on in the play.
As the play continues the supernatural is used more. Act 1 Scene 3 is Macbeth’s first meeting with the witches, and is also the first time the audience sees or experiences the witches’ supernatural abilities.
“All hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor, All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter”.
The witches predict Macbeth’s future and tell him that he shall become the Thane of Cawdor and then king. The rest of the play is based on this supernatural happening. After learning that Macbeth is to become King of Scotland the play follows Macbeth’s plot to get rid of King Duncan and then Macbeth’s life after the murder.
Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor and has a strong belief in the witches’ predictions. King Duncan is to stay at Macbeth’s castle. Macbeth is overwhelmed to hear this and travels ahead of the King to warn his wife of King Duncan’s arrival the following day. Lady Macbeth is aware of Macbeth’s meeting with the witches and what they have said. She is more wanting of the royal title than her husband, and has deviously plotted to murder the King during his stay. Again the supernatural is