The Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

The Supernatural in Macbeth E rattlingone has a slightly different comment of the supernatural but the interpretation which we can start with is Shakespeares. Everyone of Shakespeares term found the supernatural fascinating. Shakespeare interpreted the supernatural as witches, magic, unnatural and evil and he expressed his beliefs in the play, Macbeth very clearly, as he portrayed the triple deformed women with control over the weather and the ability to predict the future. These three evil witches with magical powers were the creation of Shakespeares interpretation of the supernatural. Shakespeares contemporaries believed in the supernatural very strongly and a majority of them were frightened of it, including the king of that time, King James I of England. Since it was an evoke issue which many people of Shakespeares time felt they were affected by, Shakespeare wrote about it. Macbeth with its supernatural theme was the 17th centurys equivalent to the sophisticated day horro r movie. 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 battles lost and won.That will be ere the set of sunlight.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 Macbeths 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 Macbeths first meeting with the witches, and is also the first time the audience sees or experiences the witches superna tural abilities. All hail to thee, Thane of Cowdor, All hail, Macbeth That shalt be king hereafter. The witches predict Macbeths future and tell him that he shall reverse the Thane of Cowdor 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 Macbeths plot to get resign off King Duncan and then Macbeths life after the murder.