| Term Paper Title | Macbeth |
| # of Words | 845 |
| # of Pages (250 words per page double spaced) | 3.38 |
Macbeth
In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Thus, the supernatural is a recurring aspect in many of Shakespeare’s plays. In three such plays, Hamlet, Macbeth, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream the supernatural is an integral part of the structure of the plot. It provides a catalyst for action, an insight into character, and augments the impact of many key scenes.
The supernatural appears to the audience in many varied forms. In Hamlet there appears perhaps the most notable of the supernatural forms, the ghost. However, in Macbeth, not only does a ghost appear but a floating dagger, witches, and prophetic apparitions make appearances. In A Midsummer Night’s Dream, several of the characters were immortal fairies. The role of the supernatural is very important in these plays.
A ghost, appearing in the form of Hamlet's father, makes several appearances in the play. It first appears to the watchmen, Marcellus and Bernardo, along with Horatio near the guardsmen’s' post. The ghost says nothing to them and is perceived with fear and apprehension. It is not until the appearance of Hamlet that the ghost speaks, and only then after Horatio has expressed his fears about Hamlet following it, "What if it tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the cliff."(1.4, 69-70)
The conversation between the ghost and Hamlet serves as a catalyst for Hamlet’s later actions and provides insight into Hamlet’s character. The information the ghost reveals incites Hamlet into action against a situation he was already uncomfortable with, and now even more so. Hamlet is not quick to believe the ghost, and thus an aspect of Hamlet’s character is revealed. Hamlet, having no suspicion of the ghost after the production by the players, encounters the ghost next in his mother’s room. Hamlet is now convinced of the ghost and he no longer harbors any suspicion.
In Hamlet, the supernatural is the guiding force behind Hamlet. The ghost asks Hamlet to seek revenge for the King’s death and Hamlet is thus propelled to set into action a series of events that ends in Hamlet’s death.
The supernatural occurs four times during the course of Macbeth. It occurs in all the appearances of the witches, in the appearance of Banquo’s ghost, in the apparitions with their prophesies, and in the "air-drawn" dagger that guides Macbeth towards his victim.
Of the supernatural phenomenon evident in Macbeth the witches are perhaps the most important. The witches...Read entire document
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