How does the supernatural influence the character of Macbeth during the course of the play?
Name: Sean Lester
Assignment: How does the supernatural influence the character of Macbeth during the course of the play?
Prepare of task: To analyze how the language of the supernatural influences the character of mcbeth in the play
The play "Macbeth" is one of the many successful plays written by the one and only Shakespeare. His play Mcbeth is famous on the theme of Tragedy and supernatural. Macbeth, a tragedy in five acts written by Shakespeare, is based on episodes in the life of Macbeth. Possibly performed as early as 1606, the play was first printed in the edition of Shakespeare's works that was published in 1623 and is known as the first folio.
Returning from battle, Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches who tells them their future. The first part of the prophecy comes true: Macbeth is made Thane of Cawder by King Duncan. Emboldened by lady Macbeth, the new thane takes the second part of the prophesy in his own hands, murdering Duncan ( who is staying in the home of Macbeth in Dunsinane) and crowning himself king of Scotland. Remembering that the witches also predicted that Banquo would be the father of kings, though never one himself, Macbeth orders him and his son Fleance killed. Banquo is slain but Fleance survives. Haunted by Banquo 's ghost, he returns to the witches. They warned him of Macduff, but also told him that no man born of woman shall kill him and he cannot be defeated until Birnam Wood would come to Dunsinane. Hearing that Duncan's son, Malcolm, has joined forces with Macduff, Macbeth slaughtered Macduff's wife and children. Lady Macbeth goes mad with guilt and dies. Meanwhile Macbeth's enemies close in on him in Dunsinane. Covered with branches from Birnam Wood. Macbeth is slain by Macduff, who reveals he was not born naturally but "from his mother's womb untimely ripped". Malcolm is declared king.
The story of Macbeth is taken during the Victorian times. During this time, there was a strong belief in the supernatural. The people living in the Elizabethan era (Victorian times) believed in the supernatural especially in witches. Witches are women who sold their soul to the devil to gain power. The strong belief in the supernatural and witches may have caused a deep impact on the audience. Shakespeare may have used this as an advantage for his play.
The main theme in the play is on tragedy. But the theme on the supernatural comes as the second major theme in the play. The theme on the supernatural is shown in the play through many different characters (Witches, ghosts etc...). But the main characters of the supernatural are the three witches. It is they who brought the destruction and downfall of Macbeth.
We are first introduced to the witches in the beginning of the scene. After our brief introduction with the witches, we get terrible thoughts of them. This is because through their language and how the setting has takenplace. "Fair is fowl and fowl is fair" this quote, is taken from the witches, which gives the audience the reason to hate them. Also, in the beginning of the scene, we see the witches come in the moods of the climate. By this, I mean they come in thunder, lightning or rain. This is symbolic due to the effect that the witches come when the climate is gloomy and dark. This climate represents evil and can be compared to the witches. Since they are evil, they appear in this kind of weather. In the whole play, they are seen in this kind of weather and this gives an affect on the audience to show how evil the witches are. Evil has many ways of manifesting itself. Since the witches are evil, they take on the appearances of nature's animals. They take on the shape of cats and crows. The colors of the animals are always black because it represents evil in its true form. Gloomy and dark are represented in the color black therefore describing evil.
The language of the witches is ambiguous. The way they speak is confusing. "Fair is fowl and fowl is fair". They have a way of confusing the people and it is through the witches we first hear his name and the audiences 'curiosity is aroused. This is because, we hear his name coming from the witches and we wonder why this innocent man is being dragged into their matter. The witches here are considered evil by many critics and are in fact neutral. They prophesied that Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor and the king of Scotland. Not once do they incite him to commit murder or any other crime for that matter. The crime and murder are the direct outcome of Macbeth's overpowering ambition and his misplaced interpretation of the prophecies. If Macbeth was destined to become king, he would have become one without murdering Duncan. If his offspring were destined not to succeed him to the throne of Scotland, all the subsequent murders and bloodshed caused by Macbeth could not prevent it. Macbeth himself never blames the witches for inciting him to commit murder, though he does accuse them of lulling him into a false sense of security. As said earlier, the witches confuse the matter whenever they talk. Every time they talk, it is always in rhyme and what they mean; they say it in a different way. The description given by Banquo gives us an idea on how they looked like and how we can portray them as witches. "Who are these dressed in such a strange dress, so wild and withered. They do not seem to be creatures of this earth, yet they are on it." "It seems you understand me, for each of you has placed her cracked finger upon her shrunken lips. You look like women, but due to your beards you do not make me feel that you are indeed women."
In act 1 scene 2, we are introduced to Macbeth. In the beginning of the scene, we are not actually meeting him but we get an idea and the image of him. By this, I mean a pleasant atmosphere is created through the words of the king and the soldiers. Here, we see what a loyal soldier he is. "But all's too weak for brave Macbeth". This quote comes from the sergeant who addresses Macbeth. He calls him this because Macbeth is fighting for his country and for his king. Because of Macbeth's courage, Duncan addresses him as ...
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In act 1 scene 2, we are introduced to Macbeth. In the beginning of the scene, we are not actually meeting him but we get an idea and the image of him. By this, I mean a pleasant atmosphere is created through the words of the king and the soldiers. Here, we see what a loyal soldier he is. "But all's too weak for brave Macbeth". This quote comes from the sergeant who addresses Macbeth. He calls him this because Macbeth is fighting for his country and for his king. Because of Macbeth's courage, Duncan addresses him as a gentleman who is very valiant. "O, valiant cousin! Worthy gentleman!"
Coming back on our theme on the supernatural, we see the witches 'meeting again to bring the downfall of poor innocent souls and their main target that is Macbeth. This is taken in scene III. In the beginning of the scene, we meet the witches again and without a doubt, they are meeting when the weather is fowl. The weather conditions here is in thunder. Here, they are planning on killing a young man at sea. But this discussion was brief since Macbeth was coming.
Knowing how the witches are very particular of their entrance through nature, they meet him in gloomy weather.
"So fowl and fair a day I have not seen." This quote is taken from Macbeth. This shows that the witches are close at hand. Since witches are supposed to be evil, evil has nothing to do with beauty therefore it is no surprise that we find them as hideous as Banquo describes them. "What are these, so withered and so wild in their attire, that look not like t h ' inhabitants o' th' earth and yet are on't". This is just a small quote taken from Banquo. Since I don't want to give a big quote, this short quote proves how ugly evil is. (For a full detail, please refer the book on page 10 from verse 39 to 47)
Paying no attention toward Banquo, they start ed to speak to Macbeth in riddles. "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!" "All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!" "All hail, Macbeth! That shall be king hereafter!" These are the three prophecies that were announced to Macbeth. Any human would be glad to hear such news but was Macbeth rejoicing? No! He stood there shocked. "Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fear things that sound so fair?" Jealousy is also a part of humans therefore Banquo also seeks the future from the witches. "Speak then to me, who neither beg nor fear your favors nor your hate". As the saying goes "curiosity kills the cat", Macbeth starts to seek more "knowledge" from the witches. This is the time when the seeds of evil are starting to grow. "Stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more By.........Speak I charge you." After this line, they vanish. They leave Macbeth and Banquo in a mist. By this, I mean they left them in a confused state. As we move on, the confusion is being brought out through the talk between Macbeth and Banquo.
Not only the confusion is being brought out but also the strength of their loyalty to each other is also Being tested.
We are next introduced to a new character. Lady Macbeth. We are introduced to Lady Macbeth in a different manner. After the incident of the witches were related to her through Macbeth's letter, she says "Glamis thou art, and Cawder; and shall be what thou are promised: yet do I fear thy nature; it is too full o'th' milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way" This small quote may represent the fact that Macbeth is too kind and gentle to become a king and for the prophecy to come true, it may need her help. We find that Lady Macbeth is determined to become queen. Her first talk over here, we find that she interprets the witches' prophecies in her way. That in order to become king, Macbeth has to take action. He has to get Duncan out of the way so that he can step up and become king. "That which cries 'thus thou must do' if thou have it..."
Lady Macbeth is also known as the fourth witch in the play. We say this because of the talk she gave. "Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here..." This quote is taken from page 18 from lines 38-53. She is invoking the evil spirits to remove all kindness in her and anything that might make her feel guilty when the deed is being done. Witches are women who sold their souls to the devil. Here, lady Macbeth invokes the evil spirits to help her kill Duncan without feeling any pity or remorse.
AS we read on, we see her forcing her husband to kill Duncan so that they can rule as king and queen. She teaches him to hide whatever he needs to hide. Usually, people who are innocent and honest will have a hard time lying towards others. Signs are shown (Example:- sweat, anxiety). Lady Macbeth knowing this helps her husband to overcome this. "Your face, my thane, is as a book where men may read strange matters...." Just like how a rose looks beautiful, it can make you bleed threw its thorns. Lady Macbeth wants to be like this. "Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under't." She keeps on encouraging her husband to not lose control when he is going to kill Duncan. She keeps on reassuring him that they will succeed in the plan.
The conflict of good and evil is shown here when Macbeth tries to back out of the agreement. As we read on, we find that Macbeth's conscience is trying to stop him from the terrible deed, which is about to happen. But he isn't strong enough to resist it because his wife comes and persuades him more to do the deed. She's trying her best to convince her husband that she puts his courage and love to a test and she also adds that she would also kill her own child to be faithful to the agreement. "Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself? hath it slept since? And wakes it now, to look so green and pale at what it did so freely?..." This quote comes from lady Macbeth when she tests her husband's courage as a man. "What beast wasn't then that made you break this enterprise to me? When.........and dash the brains out, had I so sworn as you have done to this." This quote comes lady Macbeth when she tells her husband that she will kill her only baby to have the deed done. Although lady Macbeth has said this, her husband is still uncertain whether they will succeed. The battle between good and evil is tremendous because for Macbeth, its hard because he will be killing a very good friend of his in his own home. The doubt is still there in his mind "If we should fail?" While for lady Macbeth, she wants to become queen. Here she's trying her best to convince her husband and won't stop harassing him till it is done. She is very persistent in having the deed to be done. "We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking place, and we'll not fail. When Duncan is asleep..." Here, she finally convinces him to do the deed. Al though the battle between good and evil has been a harsh one, it seems now that evil has won this round or did it?
In the next paragraph, we will see the turmoil Macbeth is facing after his wife has convinced him to kill Duncan. It seems, that just before he goes to kill Duncan, he starts to get delusional. This means, that he starts to see things that aren't there. Illusions are crested by his mind. This shows the turmoil in his mind. Thought of him doing the deed has resulted in illusions. The image created here is in the form of a dagger. "Is this a dagger which I see before me , the handle toward my hand? Come let me...............And on thy blade and dudgeons gouts of blood, which was not so before............Here it not, Duncan, for it is knell that summons thee to heaven, or to hell" This quote comes from Macbeth. It Starts from page 26 (line37) to page 27 (line 64). Macbeth mind must have been on the idea of killing Duncan. The haunting of this idea in Macbeth's head has resulted in the illusion of the dagger. The dagger here, maybe showing how easy it is to kill Duncan. It may be tempting him more to the fact that Duncan would be helpless since he is sleeping and that this would be his only chance of becoming king. The manifestation of the dagger has driven Macbeth further into killing Duncan. We see how evil is swallowing Macbeth piece by piece. By this, I mean that Macbeth is growing more and more evil. Without realizing it, Macbeth has become a pawn in the witches' hand. What Macbeth doesn't realize is that as you kill one person, you will have to kill others more to cover up for what youhave done. "Thou marshall'st me the way that I was going"
This quote tells us that the dagger is pointing toward the direction of Duncan. This tells us that the dagger is hypnotizing or tempting him to kill Duncan. The conflicy of good and evil is still on. The turmoil Macbeth is facing in his mind is tremendous. Usually, this kind of turmoil can cause a person to have a nervous breakdown. By this, I mean that we can empathize with him. His wife is tormenting him to do it, Duncan is a close friend to him, and the witches confuse the matter to him. But the thought of being king is in his mind. The only problem is that Macbeth wants to become king in a way where there is no killing. Here, evil is tormenting him through his wife. She is dominating his life. The problem we find in Macbeth is that he cannot control his life. He takes orders from his wife. He could have said 'NO!' but instead, he listened to his wife. Now evil has entered into Macbeth's mind and the hour of death has come for Duncan.
As we move further on, we find that Macbeth grows considerably evil. His next step is the betrayal of his best friend Banquo. Macbeth betrays Banquo because of his prophecy. Knowing that all the prophecies spoken to him have come true, Macbeth fears that none of his children will become kings or queens. To get rid of Banquo, Macbeth plans another murder. This time, it's not him doing the murder but hired assassins. He hires assassins because he's a coward. He wants other people to do his dirty work. Now, he is thinking that he has killed 'gracious' Duncan just for Banquo's children to become king. "To be thus is nothing, But to be safely thus: our fears in Banquo..................they hailed him father to a line of kings: upon my head they placed a fruitless crown, and..................For Banquo's issues have I filled my mind, for them the gracious Duncan have I murdered...............To make them kings, the seed of Banquo kings! Rather than so, come fate into the list, and champion me to th' utterance." This quote comes from page 41 in lines 47-71. He starts thinking that he has to suffer and do all the work just to see Banquo's children become king. At the end of this quote, we see that Macbeth takes matters in his own hands by hiring assassins to kill Banquo. Macbeth makes a perfect choice when he chooses the assassins. The assassins chosen are Banquo's enemies. As I read on, I think that Macbeth is building the anger in the assassins. He reminds them on how Banquo has made them suffer. "Well then, now have you considered of my speeches? Know that it was he in the times which held you so unfortunate, which............To half a soul and to a notion crazed say 'thus did Banquo'." This quote comes from Macbeth. He tells the murderers on how Banquo has tormented them. I think he does this so that their urge for revenge grows stronger. As we read on, Macbeth continues to tell the assassins to kill Banquo immediately or sooner. Macbeth doesn't want Banquo to live any second more. He starts to ask them why they haven't killed him as yet. After the torment, why are they letting them go? "Do you find your patience so predominant in your nature, that..................Whose heavy hand had bowed you to the grave and begged yours for ever?" As we read on, we find that Macbeth describes Banquo as an illness, which has to be cured immediately. He also describes him as as enemy of his. The quotes below will help justify my actions. "Ay, in the catalogue ye go for men, as hound and greyhounds, mongrels.....................Who wear our health but sickly in his life, Which in his death were perfect" This quote is taken from page 43 lines 91-107. The next quote comes from page 43 lines 114-125. "Both of you know Banquo was your enemy..................So is he mine: and I such bloody distance, that..................Masking the business from the common eye, for sundry weighty reasons." This shows us how considerably evil Macbeth has become.
As we read on, we find that Banquo has been killed and that Macbeth is having a party. The reason I'm writing about the party is because, it's here that we find Banquo's ghost. Banquo's ghost appears to him due to his actions. Banquo's soul is not at rest and now is haunting Macbeth. In the party, we find that only Macbeth is aware about Banquo's presence. This maybe due to the fact that only Macbeth was aware about the murder. Not only being aware, he was the one who planned it. This action has caused him to look foolish in front of the many important people in the kingdom and also to his wife who is curious on why he is behaving like this. As we read on, the reaction of Macbeth becomes so horrified. The quotes I'm going to use are the description of Banquo and what Macbeth Feels. "Thou cannot say I did it:never shake thy glory locks at me." This quote comes from Macbeth who is referring to Banquo saying that he wasn't the one who killed him. "Prithee,see there! Behold! Look! Lo! How say you! Why what care I? If..................Those that we bury back, our monuments shall be the maws of kites" These quotes come from the first appearance of Banquo. "Blood oath had been shed ere now, I' th' olden time, ere humane statue.....................And push us from our stools. This is more strange then such a murder is." This quote comes from Macbeth who is describing Banquo. The description we hear further on is more horrific than the ones we hear now. As we read on, we see that Banquo has returned. Unaware of his presence, Macbeth drinks to his name. After the toast has been made, we see that Baquo's appearance has been caught by the eyes of Macbeth. "Avaunt! And quit my sight! Let the earth hide thee! Thy.........Which thou does glare with." This quote come from Macbeth addressing Banquo telling him not to look at him. "What man dare, I dare: Approach thou like a rugged Russian bear, the armed........................Hence, horrible shadow! Unreal mock'ry, hence!" This quote also comes from Macbeth. This quote means that he is challenging Banquo to a fight but not in the form, which he is in now. These quotes all come from Banquo's ghost scene. Banquo has made an everlasting mark on Macbeth. This shows that maybe Macbeth's conscience is catching up to him or, that the truth will always haunt him.
We all know the witches role in the play. We know that there are only three witches in the play. But as we read on, we see that a new role is being played. This role is another witch. But this is not an ordinary witch, this is the goddess of all witchcraft. This is the one and only Hecate! As we read on in the play, we find Hecate scolding the witches for not making her a part of their plans "And I the mistresses of you r charms the close contriver of all harms was never called to bear my part?" After scolding the witches, Hecate also bring about and tells them on what they must do to bring out the downfall of Macbeth. "Meet me I'th morning: thither he will come to know his destiny. Your vessels.....................And you'll all know that security is mortals' cheifest enemy." Here, Hecate prepares the witches for the coming of Macbeth. She plans to bring the downfall of Macbeth due to the arrival. We again see the three witches at work to help Heacte .
As we read on, we see that Macbeth is now looking for the witches. We can say now that before, evil (witches) needed Macbeth to help bring chaos in country. Now, we can say that Macbeth is looking for evil to help him. Instead of evil looking for Macbeth, he is coming into its hands. Here, Macbeth wants the witches to foretell his future and to see whether he can be killed or not. We also come to notice that the witches are preparing for his arrival. We know that the arrival of Macbeth was expected because they were chanting or casting a spell. "Double, double toil and trouble; Fire, burn; and cauldron, bubble." We know that Macbeth came to them for answers because he says "I conjure,you by which you profess How'er you.....................Even till destruction sicken; answer me to what I ask you." Macbeth's curiosity, is answered by three strange figures. They answer to all his questions. Macbeth must have to chose to see these figures because the witches told him that they were their masters and maybe, Macbeth thought that since they were the witches' master, they would know more on his questions. The first figure is an armed head. This armed head represents Macbeth's head although he doesn't know it. Instead, he thinks of it as Macduff's head. "Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff, Beware the thane of fife. Dismiss me. Enough." This quote comes from the armed head. This is the answer to Macbeth's question. Although nothing has beem said by Macbeth, the head "knows thy thoughts".
The second apparition is a bloody child. It was said that Macbeth must have been afraid since he is afraid of all children since they are innocent. Here, the child tells him not to be afraid of anyone since no one born of a woman's womb can kill him. "Be bloody, bold and resolute: laugh o scorn the power of man; for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth.
The third apparition is a child crowned with a tree in his hand. The third apparition tells him not to be afraid and don't care about much dangers since he won't be defeated until the wood of great Burnam come to Dunsinane hill. "Be lion-melted, prod, and take no care. Who chaffs, who freets, or where conspirers are: Macbeth shall neer Vanquished be until Great Burnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him."
These three apparitions have made him more secure and confident that he will never be beaten. But due to his curiosity, the witches showed him another apparition. A show of eight kings, the last with a glass in his hand; Banquo's ghost following. These were the descendents of Banquo and they are crowned King.
We see how the witches' shave confused the matter to Macbeth. Through the way they speak (in riddles) they have made Macbeth think that he's invincible. This goes to show how evil can never be trusted and in the end, it can only end in tears.
To conclude, the theme of the supernatural has brought the man inside Macbeth. The image Macbeth has created for himself in the beginning has been destroyed. He has turned from a brave, loyal soldier to a bloodthirsty, traitor, evil, treasonous tyrant. Through the witches, Macbeth has been able to become all that although many of the incidents he could've stopped. From the prophecies, he could have left it alone. Knowing that if he was to be a king, it will gradually come. If he didn't have to listen to his wife, Duncan would still be alive and none of the incidents would've occurred. The supernatural has been shown throughout the whole play and it is because of the supernatural, the play has become a famous tragedy.
