Macbeth - Notes on Elements of the Gothic in the play.

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Macbeth

Elements of the gothic

Supernatural

  • An Elizabethan audience would have been genuinely terrified by the events on stage as they believed that witches did exist, murder by witchcraft was made punishable in 1563 thus demonstrating that people during this era believed witches were real and had magical powers.
  • The theme of equivocation is used by Shakespeare to highlight the witch’s evil nature; they use words with double meanings to confuse and disorientate Macbeth’s thoughts and cause a conflict in his mind (between good and evil).
  • “the weird sisters” – whilst also meaning strange the word weird is derived from the old English ‘wyrd’ which means fate or destiny, fate is often characterised as 3 old women.
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Transformation

  • Macbeth is promoted to Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan, the audience have yet to meet Macbeth when Duncan makes this decision thus an impression of Macbeth as an honourable man is formed. The significance of this promotion is that Macbeth goes through a transformation from a brave soldier to a higher ranking, and more noble, position.  
  •  Macbeth’s dramatic change in character is amplified in act 3 scene one as he attempts to annihilate Banquo, his close friend who he held in high respect at the start of the play. As the play progresses there ...

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