The Supernatural In Macbeth example essay topic

Shakespeares writing of Macbeth may have been partly motivated by a desire to impress King James I of England the king had written a book called Demonology and studied witchcraft. Banque who is in the play, is also James's ancestor. It is also believed that the source of the play is Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland, by Raphael Holinshed. The play tells the story of a man, urged by his wife and foretold by prophecy, who murders the king in order to gain power.

The scene I am studying, Act 4 Scene 1, begins with three Witches stirring the cauldron chanting "Double, double, toil and trouble", ... (4.1. 20). The witches call up apparitions which give Macbeth warnings, promises, and prophecies The Witches vanish and Macbeth calls in Lennox, who tells him that Macduff has fled to England, whereupon Macbeth orders the murder of Macduff's wife and children. The atmosphere that is created at the beginning of this scene is of a sinister and isolated place, as the witches gather on the moor.

There was thunder at the time which also helped to create an evil setting. Shakespeares use of language helps to create this atmosphere, with the use of rhyming couplets, snake, bake (4.1. 12&13). The witches use words associated with death and of nocturnal creatures. The other characters use blank verse in the play. Macbeth laughs at the first apparition's warning, for thy good thanks (4.1.

73), thinking that he has nothing to fear from Macduff, and also swearing to kill him, just to insure that the prophecy does not come true, but then he becomes alarmed with the other two apparitions, he believes in the witches as they foretold that he was going to become Thane of Candor, and this came true. The apparitions are important because the events that they portray come true. The first, beware Macduff, the consequence of this will be Macduff killing Macbeth. The second, none born of women shall harm Macbeth, this also means that Macduff can harm Macbeth because he was born by caesarean. The third, Birnam Wood comes to high Dunsinane, (4.1. 70, 80 & 90), Macbeth will not be defeated until Birnam Wood comes to high Dunsinane.

Macbeth is over confident and does not believe this can happen. The Globe Theatre itself is designed to operate in much the same way as it would have done in the 16th century, with no electronic equipment, microphones, or stage lighting (except for floodlights that give the impression of daylight during the performances). There is no scenery except for furniture and props. Everything has been designed to correspond as closely as possible to the workings of the Elizabethan stage. Some props used in the play Macbeth, may have been mirrors, to make the affect of there being eight kings (4.1. 110). a cauldron pot and swords.

Many Elizabethans believed in forms of supernatural, so the effects that needed to be created would not have to have been so realistic, any hint of supernatural would of caused fear among the audience. Shakespeare today has also been brought to film, many versions of Macbeth have been made, where special effects are used with a eerie soundtrack, which can enhance the action of the film. Some of Shakespeares plays have even been made into blockbuster movies by making them more modern, as with Romeo & Juliet and 10 things I hate about you (Taming of the shrew), it has made people more interested in Shakespeares work. From my understanding of the play, the story of Macbeth is a story of jealousy and power at any cost, which becomes a dangerous combination. He was prepared to do evil for the love of his wife and for the desire to be king. His weak character meant that he was easily lead by his wife, he does not take notice of the witches warning and suffers the consequences, when he is murdered by Macduff at the end of the play.

The moral of this tale is actions always come with consequences and fate on its own can not be trusted. They make greater the theatrical experience with images of darkness, thunder and lightning that make Macbeth the tragedy it is. Macbeth is a play where atmosphere and setting plays a very important Katherine Bond 10 w 35 b.