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Subject: English
The Role of the Supernatu ral in M acbeth
Abstract
W illiam Shakespeares M acbeth is perhaps one of the most recognized and contorted plays by Shakespeare. Shakespeares play M acbeth p roclaims a tale of d isparity as a man consumed by ambition and lust is unable to relieve himself b ringing destruction to him and the land. This dissertation examines the role of the supernatural in M acbeth, p lacing emphasis on the visions and hallucinations, u nnatural occurrences, and the witches. The paper conveys the correlation between t he supernatural elements, characters, and the plot, as the supernatural adds d ramatic tension bringing the story to life. T he visions and hallucinations t hroughout the play can be seen as a manifestation of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's own guilt and remorse for their fabricated deeds. M acbeths and Lady Macbeths eagerness, desire for power and wealth breed evil thoughts and allusions falsifying t he veracity of their deeds. The unnatural occurrences reflect disposition and i r regulari ty in the natural world. M acbeths obsession and fixation with the witches and the prophecies further the plot giving insight to Macbeth and his in tentions. As
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a result of his intentions, coupled with the supernatural, M acbeth is condemned to d isorder and despair. T hrough this analysis, this essay attempts to prove the s ignificance of the supernatural as a vital and moral component in M acbeth .
C ONTE N TS
Abstract ............................................................................................................................. .......... 1
Contents............................................................................................................................. .......... 2
In troduction....................................................................................................................... .......... 3
Body.................................................................................................................................... ......... 4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................... ......... 15
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T he supernatural is an exuberant element commonly used in li terature for depth and an extra dimension. Shakespeare used the elements of the supernatural in many plays to beguile the curiosity and interest of the audience, but none as much as M acbeth . T he supernatural plays a significant role in the t ragedy M acbeth as i t reveals dark and pessimistic phases in the life of Macbeth. Shakespeare uses the supernatural to the fullest extent by revealing the unnatural in fluences around h umans and challenging the peoples belief. The supernatural elements are used more morally rather than physically representing the characters motivation.
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Throughout M acbeth t he supernatural forces serve as a significant undertone i nducing style and certain att ributes of a great t ragedy binding elements of jealously, light, darkness, and fear. The supernatural acts as a catalyst giving i nsight to major characters, and empowering many key scenes. T he supernatural in M acbeth is darkened to pessimism and apprehension as the elements impart a deeper psychological significance exhibited in various forms. The supernatural acts as a backbone giving more depth and controversies to the actions of Macbeth. The dark forces, especially the th ree witches, strengthen the subplot and bring the revelations in the character. Th e presence of supernatural forces in M acbeth p rovides for much of the play's dramatic tension and the mounting suspense. By analysing the witches, the most prominent of the supernatural elements, i t will be evident the presence and interventions of the witches in the natural world augment t he plain and simplistic plot of M acbeth i nto an int riguing and interesting play. The existence of the visions and hallucinations hinders and enquiries the Macbeths and L ady Macbeths motivations and empowerment, while the unnatural happenings are reflective of the unnatural commotion and correspondent to the characters within t he natural world. Abstractly, the supernatural acts as an unseen stimulus in the characterization of Macbeth. Therefore, i t will be evident that the role of the
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supernatural is significant for mentioned purposes in the play M acbeth .
I nstinctively the supernatural elements in M acbeth a re correspondent to the characters and occurrences in the real world. Throughout the play it is evident the relation between the unnatural occurrences and the abnormal deeds is uncanny. In emergence to the play the atmosphere is of confusion and ambiguity. The weather portrays the mood and conception of the play and its characters and correlates with t he in teraction between the characters and their motifs. Supernatural elements act t hrough many of the weather conditions depicting the convergence of profanity and d iscrepancies of the country as well as the individuals. I t is fi rst objectified in the opening scene with the int roduction of the witches; When shall we three meet again/In thunder, lightning, or in rain?1 T he thematic sequence is represented with a dark stormy night foreshadowing evil and calamity. The witches along with the t hunderous weather symbolize t hrough pathetic fallacy t he corruption and t u rmoil which is to set on the land. Furthermore, the disposition of the atmosphere is also correspondent to the changing land as Duncan is killed; Ross notices calamities of the night,
T hou seest, the heavens, as t roubled with man's act, t h reaten his bloody stage: by the clock, 'tis day,
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and yet dark night strangles the t ravelling lamp: I s't night's predominance, or the day's shame, t hat darkness does the face of earth entomb, 2
The grotesque murder of Duncan is accompanied by unnatural occurrences, reflecting the corruption in moral and political orders. The thunder and lightning b rought on by the terrible storm signify infringement of the natural order. The connection of moral, political, and natural developments in the land is symbolically represented through the storm. Ross speaks of the dark nights strangling the light metaphorically referring to a confrontation between D uncan and Macbeth l ight and dark. The atmosphere declares confusion and deception as Macbeth is w ithdrawn to an unholy place within himself compelling him to act in a fiendish manner. He is the darkness which has befallen the throne and now his presence eludes the natural realm. The conspiracy brings forth disruption and corruption as M acbeths ambition and lust augment reality. By murdering Duncan, Macbeth tempers with reality conjuring unnatural occurrences symbolic of the wicked deed. W hen meeting Lady Macbeth after murdering Duncan Macbeth is told, I heard the owl scream and the crickets cry. /did not you speak?3Figuratively the owls scream and crickets cry symbolises the disturbance in the order of nature. The unnatural reaction to the death of Duncan becomes more apparent as it is implied that many
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misfortunes have taken place; Tis unnatural, /Even like the deed that's done. On T uesday last, /A falcon, towering in her pride of place, /was by a mousing owl hawk'd a t and kill'd. 4 Symbolic in meaning a noble falcon was slain by an owl indicating t he confusion which has befallen the country. Natural order is disturbed a lesser being, Macbeth, usurps the throne in a most unholy manner. Death is symbolised by t he darkness and the uncanny disturbance conveys a sense of insecuri ty. There is s tark disturbance in the natural order mi r roring the death of the king and the supernatural happenings are reflective of the situation. The animals amongst the l and apprehended the unnatural deed as Duncans horses, Tu rn'd wild in nature, b roke their stalls, f lung out, /contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make /War w ith mankind. 5 I n conjunction these unnatural sightings are objective referring to t he evil doings of Macbeth. In addition there is an implication of disorder and t u rmoil in the kingdom as the unnatural happenings portray insecurity and confusion. I t is understood that the supernatural in the sense of unnatural happenings expresses a disturbing yet relevant exaggeration of the unholy act and reign of Macbeth as unnatural deeds/ Do breed unnatural t roubles.6 I n using supernatural elements there is an implicit indication as to shear grotesque and t umult of the play. The correlation with the characters and motif subjugates a
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greater meaning to the audience as there is an extra dimension which acts freely u pon the choices of man.
T he supernatural plays a significant role in representing, from the robust and tempered minds of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, guilt and remorse. In an obsessive f ixation on the prophecy Macbeth takes on a different conception of what is to be done. The visions and hallucinations protrude a clear representation of the manifestation of inner struggle and guilt. Before murdering Duncan the substantial d isagreement between Macbeth and the plan is understood as he questions and regrets such an immoral act. After murdering Duncan Macbeth is stained with b lood hallucinates, Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood/Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/ the multitudinous seas in incarnadine, / M aking the green one red. 7 A t fi rst i t is questionable as to whether there is t ru th to t he hallucination, as i t uncanny; however this implicit occurrence evokes the guilt of M acbeth. He sees himself as unclean unable to remove the stains of the murder, as i f t rapped in an inevitable downward spiral within his conscience. I t is this guilt w hich pressures Macbeth in to taking remorseful actions in the future. Even though h is ambition empowers him his actions reflect the embodiment of his guilt and remorse. Out, damned spot! Out, I say. . . What, will these hands neer be clean?8
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Lady Macbeth also hallucinates about being stained in blood when she was s leepwalking. The guilt which enveloped Lady Macbeth disturbs her sleep and leads to her eventual death. The lack of sleep is another manifestation aspired by the characters guilt. Macbeth after excising the plan to murder Duncan hears a voice, Methought I heard a voice cry 'Sleep no more! /Macbeth does murder sleep', the i nnocent sleep.9 T he guilt Macbeth feels over the death of Duncan incites him to hallucinate implying that t roubled occurrences will haunt him leading him astray tormented by his conscience. Come, we'll to sleep. My strange and self-abuse /Is the i ni tiate fear that wants hard use: / We are yet but young in deed.10 Both Lady M acbeth and Macbeth are eluded by hallucinations and visions yet there is a stark d ifference in the responses to the supernatural occurrences. The hallucinations and v isions effect the character in different ways while Macbeth overcomes guilt, Lady M acbeth is overpowered. The manifestation of inner struggle is further exemplified as Macbeth sees visions of Banquos ghost, That, when the brains were out, the man would die, /and there an end; but now they r ise again, /with twenty mortal m urders on their crowns, /and push us from our stools: this is more strange/Than such a murder is. 11 T he ghost of Banquo represents the manifestation of guilt in M acbeths mind. The vision of the ghost preludes Macbeths mind revealing an
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insight into Macbeth as his mind is one that is recessed and confused. The ghost of B anquo disturbs Macbeth as he loses his nerve shocked and applauded at the sight of, Ere human statute purged the gentle weal. 12 T he subjective nature of the ghost causes Macbeth to confess the guilt he suffers by his internal conflict. The suppression of guilt leads to psychological despair as Macbeth questions the reality of his intentions. Fu rthermore, the ghost reminds Macbeth that he is the one who m urdered Banquo acting as a supernatural sign of his guilt giving more dramatic tension to the scene. In contemplating the murder of King Duncan Macbeth envisions,
I s this a dagger which I see before me, t he handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. .... Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to feeling as to sight? Or art thou but 13 Macbeth sees an air drawn dagger in front of him. The presence of the dagger suggests a development in tension as Macbeth is faced with the decision to continue or to tu rn back. He t r ies to clutch the dagger, the t ip of which points to Duncans room and the handle of which points to his hand, but is unable to. Macbeth questions the vision of the dagger, dagger of the mind, it is created by fatal vision, to feeling as to sight, false creation or proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain." 14
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The illusion of the dagger emphasizes Macbeths weak and indecisive individuality. As characterised Macbeth has weak personality and enquiries the conspiracy against K ing Duncan. The f loating dagger, being a paranormal incidence, doubts M acbeths mind, Mine eyes are made the fools o' the other senses, /Or else worth all t he rest; I see thee 15 still. M acbeth confused as to whether the dagger is a moral representation of his guilt or a mere vision, is clouded by the thoughts of murder. A v ictim of disparity Macbeth is unable to decide as to persist in his campaign or not. I have no spur / to prick the sides of my intent, but only / Vaulting ambition which oerleaps itself / and falls on thother 16 M acbeth faced with the delusion of the dagger is aspired as his ambition overcomes his mind and he persists with his evil i ntentions. The confi rmation of the dagger forebodes the effects of ambition and guilt on a man without strength of character. T he dagger, an optical illusion, envisioned by Macbeths imagination signifies his internal conflict, ambition, and guilt; But now I am cabin'd, cribb'd, confined, and bound in/To saucy doubts and fears.17 T he dagger frees Macbeth of moral constraint as he is intent on ambition and temptation in killing Duncan allowing guilt to enter his soul and grow susceptible to the witches and the evil lurking within his soul. The implementation of visions and hallucinations contributes to the ambiguity and disposition of the
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characters as the manifestation of their guilt concedes them to reconsider and doubt. In representation the supernatural is subjective as it is a psychological p henomenon objectifying and externalising the internal guilt of Macbeth. T he recur ring visions and hallucinations act as an overwhelming guilty conscience of the M acbeth and Lady Macbeths misfortunes. Banquos ghost can be objectified as a moral reminder and as a projection of Macbeths agitated mind contributing to an eerie mood. Therefore, the manifestation of inner struggle and guilt is depicted t hrough visions and hallucinations adding tension, uncertainty, and interest to the p lay.
W hen analysing the development of M acbeth i t is evident that the supernatural p lays a significant role in the progression and characterization of Macbeth. In the beginning, through description Macbeth seems like a valiant and courageous war r ior, For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--/Disdaining fortune, with h is brandish'd steel,/Which smoked with bloody execution, /Like valour's minion carved out his passage/Till he faced the slave.18 M acbeth is described as that of a respectable and brave man worthy of such an occupation as the Thane of Cawdor. M acbeth was known as a t rustful and reliant man; My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,/Shakes so my single state of man that function/Is smother'd in
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surmise, and nothing is.19 T he Macbeths lust is first recognized when the witches p redict Macbeths future. Two of the three prophecies perceived by the witches come t rue and as for the thi rd it is unknown as to whether is self-fulfilling or not. T he M asks of Macbeth by Marvin Rosenberg examines Macbeths soul, ravaged by conflict as he loses composure and sense. In regard ro Macbeths destructive nature Rosenberg comments, Macbeth seem, as noted above, a symbol of, even identical w ith, the Evil One, Satanhimself a magnificent abstraction of antisocial, antimoral forces in man. But where some critics condemn Macbeth for Satanism, others see an artistic configuration that must earn admiration and empathy.20 Rosenberg, not dismissing the artistically reiterated image of a t ragic hero eminent i n Macbeth, compares Macbeth to Satan, a character described as an antisocial and antimoral individual to demonstrate the extent to which Macbeth has lost his heart and humanity. Rosenberg juxtaposed Macbeths image to Satan to show the extent of his wickedness and Shakespeares characterization of Macbeth tolerates the t raits of a paranormal and iniquitous being. Macbeths aspirations soon begin to manifest as a darker and corrupted character is beguiled. Fu rthermore, Macbeth represents embodiment of a weak individual confused and misguided by ambition and lust. Macbeth questions the entirety of the prophecy and depicts murder must
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be at hand, Let not light see my black and deep desires:/The eye wink at the hand; yet let that be, /Which the eye fears, when i t is done, to see.21 M acbeth expresses controlled evocation of evil deeds and desires; nevertheless Macbeth is unclear and questions the new evil which has engulfed him, For Banquo's issue have I filed my m ind; /For them the gracious Duncan have I murder'd; /Put rancours in the vessel of my peace/Only for them; and mine eternal jewel/Given to the common enemy of man. 22 K ing Macbeth, now the embodiment of evil and disorder, brings catastrophe and horror. To protect his reign Macbeth conspires against Banquo, regardless of t he mutual bond between them. To t ime and mortal custom. Yet my heart/Throbs to know one thing: tell me, if your art/Can tell so much: shall Banquo's issue ever/Reign in this kingdom?23 T he demonic stature of Macbeth overwhelms the t hrone and the greed and lust for power entices him to act against his loved ones. As Rosenberg says, From the moment he gains "demonic" momentum, he stimulates empathy and emulation in kindred natures. Demonic here means in spite of one's own advantage and life, in favour of a relentless thought or drive.24 t he evil ambition swayed Macbeth into thinking that the only way to remain in power was to eradicate those who were forcibly and psychologically a threat to him , rather than accept the possibility of a t ru thful and just reign as the King of Scotland. Many
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critics evaluate the supernatural elements, coupled with the significance of the conscious, to elucidate character development. The development of Macbeth is s ignificant as i t is materializes in response to the supernatural forces, aspirating t he inner ambition and lust of Macbeth, as his character changes with the p rogression of the plot. The supernatural elements manipulate Macbeth representing the unforeseen powers on human beings.
Since the supernatural elements induce dark thoughts and unconscious temptations, the witches serve as prominent characters in excising the darker motif of the play. In M acbeth t he th ree witches, being supernatural, play a considerably f undamental role. The witches protrude many devilish and obscure in terventions s temming from their supernatural and unnatural powers. They are symbolic s traddling between the border of natural and supernatural inducing ambiguity and d isorder. Fair is foul, and foul is fair: /Hover through the fog and fil thy air. 25 I n accordance to the witches good is bad and bad is good, implying that they bring forth uncertainty and confusion violating and bending the natural order out of p roportion. T hese lines evoke an air of deep uncertainty which clouds the mind of M acbeth as he to shares similar expressions of the three witches, So foul and fair a day I have not seen.26 F ur thermore, there are suggestions as to reality of the weird
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sisters and their prophecies. The witches bring unfathomable reparation to the play as their presence and interaction with other characters conveys a deceitful and manipulative aura. The witches heighten and deepen the sense of dread, nevertheless critics such as Har rison consider the witches as r idiculous instruments of darkness objective of popular imagination and supersti tion; beings with supernatural powers but not supernatural beings themselves. One can argue the w itches are not but they serve an integral and symbolic role imparting universality to the drama as forces of fate at which all mortals Macbeth are mere pawns. A malgamating the realms of the natural and supernatural the witches are the catalysts of the play for without them the play would lose i ts suspense and sensational element as well as the bent and sadistic nature of Macbeth. Through the words of Shakespeare i t is unclear as to whether the witches serve as supernatural beings pulling the strings on human lives or as messengers of fate; however they are far from human comprehension indicative of incomprehensibility and corruption . T he witches protrude dramatic innovation elaborating evil and disorder and i nt roducing a variation in the perception of the supernatural. Along with the other supernatural phenomenon the witches create an atmosphere of evil, confusion, and equivocation. T he witches prophecy sets the plot of Macbeth in motion, fanning the
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f lames of ambition within Macbeth. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of G lamis! /All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, thane of Cawdor! /All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter! 27 T he prophecy told by the witches acts as the driving force to the plot against King Duncan drawing on Macbeths t ragic f law of lust and ambition. Are less than horrible imaginings: /My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical, /Shakes so my single state of man that function. 28 M acbeth interprets t he witches prophecy in an evil aspect and because of i t Macbeth planned to scheme against Duncan. Shaping the events of the plot the witches are vital to the play as t hey intensify the atmosphere of horror and dread inclining the courageous Macbeth to evil deeds. Ambiguity befalls as it is unknown whether the prophecy is selffulfilling, yet Macbeths obsessive fixation has tu rned him into the person he most feared. The witches bring a mood of chaos, despair and confusion. The witches are symbolic as they represent the evil convictions of Macbeth and stimulate in a tempting and suggestive manner the actions and decisions of Macbeth. However powerful the witches are their powers are suggestive rather than compulsive; nevertheless Macbeths ambitious persona makes him act hastily. Macbeth becomes reliant on the witches as he believes they hold his future and security; And betimes I w ill, to the weird sisters: /More shall they speak; for now I am bent to know, /By
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the worst means, the worst. 29 T he witches play a fundamental role in the t ragedy of M acbeth because they have the ability to predict the future and abili ty to affect as well. They act as the catalyst to the play manifesting on the ambition and evil aspirations of Macbeth. The shear presence and appearance of the witches brings forth an ambience of ambiguity and evil, as their entrance is accompanied by supernatural elements and stormy weather. Double, double toil and t rouble; /Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.30 I n this scene one can t ruly understand the power of t hese witches. The menacing view and uncertainty portrays the apparent supernatural impact on the play. I will be satisfied: deny me this, /And an eternal curse fall on you! Let me know. /Why sinks that cauldron?31 T he witches are objective conveying a sense of indirect guidance to Macbeth. By predicting the fate of Macbeth the witches have the uncanny power to control nature and convey an aura of unnatural power manipulating the laws of mankind. Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn /the power of man, for none of woman born /shall harm M acbeth. 32 Demonstrating their dominance th roughout the play the witches who i ni tiated Macbeths path of violence end his reign indirectly. He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear / He hopes 'bove wisdom, grace and fear: /And you all know, securi ty /Is mortals' chiefest enemy.33 T he witches who have empowered and
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tempted Macbeth with great power are also the ones responsible for his downfall and tu rmoil manifesting on his evil intentions making him feel overconfident and secure. The witches act as a prominent undertone to the play protruding the character into a series of confusion and consequences.
T he role of the supernatural is evident both li terary and figuratively in Shakespeares t ragedy M acbeth . The supernatural, plot, characters, and themes work in unison depicting a larger and more psychological meaning to the play. The
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visions and hallucinations experienced by the Macbeth and Lady Macbeth give i nsight to their character adding dramatic tension. The visions and hallucinations g ive a physical representation of the guilt and remorse of Macbeth and Lady M acbeth. The unnatural occurrences evident throughout the play reflect the characters and their motifs as the unnatural deed executed in correlation to the p rophecy bring forth disorder and despair. The unnatural phenomena bring the s tory together adding significance and tension to the plot. The witches play the most p rolific supernatural role as they serve as a prominent connotation to the play of M acbeth. The prophecies and apparitions which the witches predict ignite the inner ambition of Macbeth. The prophecies and appari tions reflect the importance of the p lay. The articulate brilliance of Shakespeare is demonstrated through the s ignificance brought on by the supernatural elements making Macbeth a recognizable and remarkable play. During the times of Shakespeare there was a change in the different views of the supernatural forces as the conception and i nterpretations of both the psychological and physical world portrays a different aspect. Shakespeare uses inexplicable and unknown att ributes of the supernatural to reinforce dark and evil aura surrounding M acbeth .
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