Discuss the role of the Supernatural in Macbeth.
Academic Vocabulary; Subject terminology; Context; Effect; Answers
Question
Shakespeare uses the supernatural throughout Macbeth to
appeal to a 16th century audience. He explores the
supernatural in numerous ways, but most notably through
the female characters; the ‘weird sisters’ and Lady Macbeth.
A clear example of this is when Lady Macbeth speaks directly
to the ‘spirits’ using imperative verbs such as ‘come’, to
demand they aid her in influencing Macbeth and to achieve
her ambitions. Furthermore, she declares that she will
‘pour…spirits’ into Macbeth’s ear, showing her as having
supernatural forces at her command as well as the ability to
manipulate Macbeth into committing regicide.
To a contemporary audience, Jacobean England under the
reign of King James I, the supernatural was a very real threat.
Women, especially, were persecuted and accused of being
able to cast spells and call upon such spirits to change the
weather and even commit treason. This belief in magic and
witchcraft has been reflected by Shakespeare most evidently
in the opening of the play. As the witches wait on ‘the moor’
in ‘thunder, lightning and in rain’, the use of pathetic fallacy
makes it clear for both modern and past audiences that
supernatural elements are at work from the very beginning.