The Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

The Supernatural in Macbeth   Ã‚        Everyone has a slightly different interpretation of the supernatural but the interpretation which we can start with is Shakespeare’s. Everyone of Shakespeare’s time found the supernatural fascinating. Shakespeare interpreted the supernatural as witches, magic, unnatural and evil and he expressed his beliefs in the play, â€Å"Macbeth† very clearly, as he portrayed the three deformed women with control over the weather and the ability to predict the future. These three evil witches with magical powers were the creation of Shakespeare’s interpretation of the supernatural. Shakespeare’s contemporaries believed in the supernatural very strongly and a majority of them were frightened of it, including the king of that time, King James I of England.   Ã‚   Since it was an interesting issue which many people of Shakespeare’s time felt they were affected by, Shakespeare wrote about it. â€Å"Macbeth† with its supernatural theme was the 17th century’s equivalent to the modern day horror movie.   Ã‚   The play begins with a supernatural scene, where the three witches meet and give many clues as to who they are or what they have control over,   Ã‚   â€Å"†¦we three meet again in thunder, lighting or in rain?†¦.When the battle’s lost and won†¦.That will be ere the set of sun†¦.There to meet with Macbeth.†   Ã‚   This scene sets the atmosphere for the rest of the play. If this scene was not there it would be difficult for the audience to understand how later scenes are linked or how these three women can tell Macbeth’s future. Also if elements of the supernatural were not used in Act 1 Scene 1, as they have been, the witches could not be shown as sinister and evil. These two elements of horror, â€Å"sinister† and â€Å"evil† would later be used to explain the cause of the three witches’ behaviour further on in the play.   Ã‚  Ã‚   As the play continues the supernatural is used more. Act 1 Scene 3 is Macbeth’s first meeting with the witches, and is also the first time the audience sees or experiences the witches’ supernatural abilities.   Ã‚   â€Å"All hail to thee, Thane of Cowdor, All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter†.   Ã‚   The witches predict Macbeth’s future and tell him that he shall become the Thane of Cowdor and then king. The rest of the play is based on this supernatural happening. After learning that Macbeth is to become King of Scotland the play follows Macbeth’s plot to get rid off King Duncan and then Macbeth’s life after the murder.