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Natural vs. Unnatural in Shakespeare´s Macbeth Essay

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Natural vs. Unnatural
The term supernatural was first used in 1520-30 AD. The definition of supernatural is “that which is not subject to the laws of physics, or more figuratively, that which is said to exist above and beyond nature” (“Supernatural”). The term supernatural, or unnatural, refers to paranormal, religions, and magic. Macbeth was written in 1606 and contains many of the unnatural elements listed above. In Macbeth, the supernatural plays a huge part in the play. The play is more focused on the unnatural element than the natural element. The element of unnatural is shown through the three weird sister witches, the deaths that occur in the play, and Banquo's ghost.
The three weird sisters present the first and the main unnatural…show more content…
However, all of the deaths in Macbeth are because of murder or suicide, making them unnatural deaths. The very first death in the play is Macbeth killing Macdonwald in battle; making his death an unnatural death. In the lines, "Till he unseamed him from the nave to th' chops, / and fixed his head upon our battlements.” (Shakespeare 7 ln 22-23). Shakespeare shows the audience how Macbeth murders Macdonwald during battle. The second and main death of the play is when Macbeth and Lady Macbeth murder Duncan. Duncan does not die of old age or an illness, but by being murdered out of pure jealousy. However, within this scene Lady Macbeth has natural human feelings. She cannot murder Duncan because he looks too much like her father, meaning that she has the natural human emotion of affection. This is shown when she says "Had he not resembled/ My father as he slept, I had done't." The third death that many critics analyze is when Lady Macbeth dies. It is thought that she commits suicide. In Act V, Macbeth says "What is that noise?" (Shakespeare 163 ln 7). Seyton then replies, "It is the cry of women, my good lord." (Shakespeare 153 ln 8). Many critics believe that Lady Macbeth jumped from the top of the castle and Macbeth heard her scream. In current times, there are many issues of whether or not suicide should be considered murder. However, back during the time of Shakespeare suicide was considered a major topic in art and theater. All-in-all, suicide is not a
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