The Effect OF The Supernatural Upon Events In Shakespeares Macbeth
At the time Shakespeare wrote Macbeth, people were interested in the idea of the supernatural and the unknown. It would have been a hot conversational topic of the day in the late 16th century, with most folks being very suspicious of things of this nature. This seems to be one of the reasons why Shakespeare chose to write a play about this particular theme. Another reason would be that the playwright knew his work would be performed in front of King James; the King was of Scottish heritage and it would be pleasing to him to recognise actual place names used in the play. Scotland as a country is complimented throughout the play: "This castle hath a pleasant seat. The air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses." (A. 1, S. 6) Also, the King had just narrowly escaped death from the Gunpowder Plot headed by Catholic Guy Fawkes, and as King James was a firm believer in the Divine Right Of Kings and The Great Chain of Being (where the King was supposedly directly below God Himself) it seems Shakespeare wanted to flatter the King by reinforcing these themes, even though it would obviously have been a very sensitive issue of the time, the Plot not having been foiled one year a
"If (the Witches and their visions are) ill, why hath it given me earnest of success?" "Wake Duncan with though knocking, I would thou couldst." (A. 2, S. 2, L. 74) This shows how Macbeth isn't fooling his old friend at all, and Macbeth knows this, even though he lies to Banquo repeatedly to continue the innocence routine. Macbeth sees Banquo and his son Fleance as obstacles that need to be gotten rid of; Banquo because of his suspicions and Fleance because he's Banquo's son and Banquo's children were predicted to take the throne from Macbeth. As a solution to the problem, Macbeth hires murderers to get rid of father and son. This shows the depravity of Macbeth; not only was he willing to kill a King to get the crown, but he's willing to kill one of his oldest friends to keep it. It shows how far Macbeth has fallen from the once great soldier that he was to the murdering fiend he now is. As a soldier killing the enemy, Macbeth is admired but as a killer in his homeland he's despised. "You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting." (A. 3, S.4, L. 108) "How now my lord, why do you keep alone?" (A. 3, S. 2, L. 8)
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Approximate Word count = 3343
Approximate Pages = 13 (250 words per page double spaced)
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