The Representation Of Witches In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

The Witches go hand- in- hand as an important role in “Macbeth”. Judging from the prologue we can tell that they are up to no good. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair:" (Act 1 scene 1 line 11). You can not tell how evil the witches are until

  The tragedy of Macbeth comes about because of a single event in his life. If that one moment, the meeting with the witches on the heath, had not happened then Macbeth would no doubt have gone on to be a loyal and respected subject of King Duncan and, later, King Malcolm. However, the meeting did happen and the powerful force of ambition was unleashed within Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. It is the combination of these two factors, the meeting with the witches and Macbeth's own inner demons, that lead to tragedy, and make the play 'terrifying' in the Aristotelian sense.

Automatically the audience views Macbeth’s association with the witches to be an association with the devil. During the time of when this play was written witches were viewed in a totally different light than they are today. Back then witches were viewed as the devils spawn, or a piece of hell on earth. These characters interested the audience in a certain way that they had an evil effect on the play. The people were intrigued by the supernatural beings, they were curious to comprehend these characters. By including witches into the play it could have

Lady Macbeth also directly spoke to the evil spirits and said ‘unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full of direst cruelty’. She asked for the limited goodness to be taken from her and in return replaced with pure evil so that she can take part in the murder of King Duncan and not feel guilt. She tells her plans to Macbeth. Her words to Macbeth ‘Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it’. She told him to look innocent while hiding his evil intentions.

The three witches show that appearances can be deceiving by tricking Macbeth many times throughout the play. In the opening scene, the witches set the mood of the play by saying, “Fair is foul and foul is fair,” (1.1.12). This quote often applies to the witches themselves and their predictions. For example, the three prophecies told to Macbeth predict personal reward. Though Banquo questioned, “[W]hy do you start and seem to fear / Things that do sound so fair?”, Macbeth had good reason to fear the witches’ prophecies (1.3.49-50). Predictions originally thought to be good (ie. he would become king) eventually led to Macbeth’s downfall.

The supernatural is the element the blinds the whole story together. It leads to the actions of Dorian which inflict horror upon the reader. Wilde does not emphasis this element to much as in the time that we was writing, the supernatural was not believed as easy as it was it in the early period of gothic fiction. Wilde instead highlights his values of realism and his belief that physically beautiful things can be the causes of evil.

Gothic stories contain supernatural occurrences to incite an imminent feeling of darkness, and mystery. Using supernatural themes helps the reader become entrapped in the story, causing the reader to crave more of the story. For example, in Edgar Allen Poe’s The Black Cat in the short story Poe integrates the theme of supernatural by creating a dark and ominous

The witches in Macbeth play a critical important role as at the beginning of the play the witches describe that all that is “fair is foul, and foul is fair” (Mac 1.1.10). Meaning that every thing that is pretty is ugly and everything ugly is pretty. The witches

The supernatural elements presented in The Tragedy of Macbeth each demonstrate hints of wickedness or evil. For example, the three witches. When presented in the story, their presence always gives off bad vibes. In the exposition of the tragedy, the First Witch asks, “When shall we three meet again? / In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” (I:I, 1-2). The use of “thunder, lightning, or in rain” indicates to the reader of the malicious nature of the three witches. Upon encountering the three witches, Macbeth is astounded. Their prophecies alarm him, causing him to ask what they mean by “All hail Macbeth, that shalt be King hereafter!” (I:iii, 50). Many times, the paradoxes used by the witches confusing. In one scene, the witches appeal in favor of Banquo. The use of their paradox, “Not so happy, yet much happier,” indicates their intention of portraying things not as they really seem. (I:iii, 66). Meeting the three witches is Macbeth’s first step in losing his sanity. He struggles to differentiate what is real and what is not.

It is also clear who is to be the target for the forces of evil; the

Using metaphor, personification, and rhyme, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth depicts the exchange of power in Macbeth and Lady Macbeths relationship throughout the play. Lady Macbeth, in Act I, holds power over Macbeth. She receives a letter from Macbeth explaining The Witches predictions of Macbeth’s future. She thinks that Macbeth is too kind to kill the king so she decides she will, “… pour my spirits in thine ear.

Supernatural elements is something that cannot be explained by the laws of nature. These elements, such as religious figures and activities, ghosts, witches and anthropomorphized animals have been used to develop themes throughout literature. These supernatural elements are often used to outline the conflict within the plot and creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense throughout the text, which establishes the gothic. Supernatural components leave us to question what is real and what is our imagination.

The purpose of the supernatural in Literary Works The purpose of the supernatural in literature can vary in function from story to story. The supernatural can be used to create a certain mood in writing or to enhance the dramatic effect of a story. The supernatural can also be used as the reasoning behind a story and act as the theme it centers on, creating a paranormal effect and a mystical experience for the reader.

The use of supernatural is very evident in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Supernatural is the extraordinary or something related with forces we don't comprehend or that can't be clarified by science. Readers are introduced to the world of supernatural in a number of different ways throughout the play. From start to finish, every page, every scene, and every act have some sort of supernatural element to it. The supernatural was used in Shakespeares Macbeth to suggest the main character's state of mind, including; madness, ambition, and guilt. From the witches to the floating dagger, to Banquo’s ghost the readers can tell that the play is full of supernatural events.

The use of supernatural is very evident in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare. Supernatural is the extraordinary or something related with forces we don't comprehend or that can't be clarified by science.. Readers are introduced to the world of supernatural in a number of different ways throughout the play. From start to finish, every page, every scene, and every act has some sort of supernatural element to it. The supernatural was used in Shakespeares Macbeth to suggest the main characters state of mind including; madness, ambition, and guilt. From the witches to the floating dagger, to Banquo’s ghost the readers can tell that the play is full of supernatural events.