the supernatural in macbeth

A detailed Summary of the supernatural in macbeth


Imagery has been used throughout the history of literature to create different effects in various writings. One author who was a master of imagery is William Shakespeare. This imagery is vividly displayed in his classic tragedy, Macbeth. One image that is used throughout Macbeth is the supernatural. It is used to create an eerie mood, to show evil, and to illustrate a sense of guilt.

Beginning in the first act, the witches rely on supernatural powers to aid themselves. In the third scene of that act, they are casting an evil spell on a sailor whose wife has wronged them. They speak in rhymes and use magic words such as,"Thrice to thine, and thrice to mine,/And thrice again, to make up nine." (I.iii.36-37) Also, the witches are depicted casting a spell to see Macbeth's future. During the casting of the spell, the witches are described with many traditional elements of witchery, such as a cauldron. (i.e.,"Round about


the cauldron go;/ In the poisoned entrails throw."(IV.i.4-5)) These uses of the supernatural by the witches help to add an eerie mood throughout the play.

However, the witches are not the only ones who believe in using the supernatural for their own gains. Lady Macbeth also calls on the spirits, but she calls on them purely for evil. During the first act and before the plot to murder Duncan was definite, Lady Macbeth says in her soliloquy, "Hie thee hither/ That I may pour my spirits in thine ear"(I.v.25-26). This statement is aimed toward Macbeth. She wants the evil spirits of her thoughts of the murder to go into Macbeth's head so that he will not hesitate to kill Duncan. Also, Right before Macbeth returns, she calls the spirits by saying, "Come, you spirits/ That tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here,/ And fill me, from the crown to the toe, top-full/ Of direst cruelty!"(I.v.44-47). She is trying to make the spirits fill her with evil because she kn

Some common words found in the essay are:
William Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth, Macbeth Banquo's, Duncan Macbeth, Little Macbeth, Macbeth Imagery, Macbeth Macbeth, lady macbeth, macbeth ill, image throughout, macbeth supernatural, eerie mood, casting spell, calls spirits,

Approximate Word count = 659
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Miscellaneous

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