Essay about Witchcraft, Murder and Ghosts in Macbeth

Witchcraft, Murder and Ghosts in Macbeth A notable point within Shakespeare’s play Macbeth is the use of the three witches in the opening scene. The number of witches for a contemporary audience can go unnoticed. However in the time that Shakespeare the symbolic meaning of the number three was important, as it symbolized unluckiness and when remembering the fear of the unnatural and being unlucky (epitomized by such historical events as the rage of witch trials within Britain). This is not the only symbolism within the play, the use of the disparity between light and dark is an important concept. We can perhaps see the parallel between the horror movies of today, and the images of witchcraft, murder and ghosts of the past.†¦show more content†¦The number three also came up in other contexts. Porter: ... drink, sir, is a great provoker of three things. (II,iii,23) On the surface, the porters statement may seem like nonsense from a drunken fool, giving the play a brief break from the dark nature of the act, but one can read into the statement further. In this scene, Shakespeare is taking pains to remind us through his combination of the number three and drinking that drunkenness plays a major role in the events of the act that unfold. For example, Lady Macbeth: That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold, What hath quenchd them hath given me fire. (II,ii,1-2) As aforementioned the symbolism in the play includes that of both light and darkness. Macbeths insomnia resulting from the pressing guilt and Lady Macbeths nocturnal excursions while asleep are examples. Macbeth was unable to hide in the dark from the horrors of his deeds and he was haunted by the fear of discovery. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, was afraid of the dark and was using the light in an attempt to dispel her demons. Doctor: How came she by that light? Gentlewoman: Why, it stood by her: she has light by her continually; tis her command. (V,i,24-25) Furthermore Shakespeare uses sunlight and darkness in contrast to intensify our understanding of his guilt. Old Man: Threescore and ten I can remember well;Show MoreRelatedImportance Of Shakespeare s Macbeth 1519 Words   |  7 Pages Importance of the Witches in Macbeth by William Shakespeare Throughout all of history, witches are known for practicing magic and creating prophecies to predict any future. In any scene involving witches, it is important to know their role in the play, whether they change the outcome of the play or simply influenced it, and the supernatural features the play comes along with in its time. In No Fear Shakespeare Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the play starts out withRead MoreShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth Essay1249 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in the early 1600s the King of England was James I. James was king of Scotland too. He ruled in Scotland before coming king in England in 1603 as well. James was supposed to have descended from the real Banquo. Some people often think that Shakespeare wanted to flatter James I by writing this play by showing James that he was nothing like Macbeth. In Shakespeares play Macbeth it has been discovered thatRead MoreDarkness within macbeth756 Words   |  4 Pages How is the theme of darkness portrayed in the play â€Å"Macbeth?† The play Macbeth expresses the consistent theme of darkness as a constant foreshadow of the actions in which Macbeth is to conduct further on into the play. One instance of how the theme is expressed is through the way darkness is presented in the very first scene. This scene of the play is consistently portraying dark weathers such as thunder and lightning. The weather used in this scene of the play shows how darkness triumphs overRead MoreSupernatural Elements Of Macbeth By William Shakespeare1076 Words   |  5 PagesSupernatural Forces In Macbeth 1)Even today people struggle with whether or not to believe in supernatural forces, such as ghosts or witchcraft, but those who would admit that they let the supernatural guide their behaviors and predict their futures would be harder to find. 2) Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, takes place during medieval times when many people believed strongly in the presence and power of witchcraft and in the supernatural. 3) In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses three witches, a floating daggerRead MoreThe Horror Of William Shakespeare s Macbeth1409 Words   |  6 Pagesto sleep peacefully and grow goosebumps all over the body. In the modern day, fascination with ghost and the supernatural is becoming a thing. More and more people produce horror films with unique plotlines and crazy ideas. Although the superstitions and beliefs of the old century still lives, the horror of today is not the same as the horror of yesterday, such as Shakespeare’s abominable works. Macbeth is a dark and horror play written by the great William Shakespeare in the 1600s. Like any otherRead MoreEssay on James I influence in Shakespeares Writing1519 Words   |  7 PagesThis period was very authoritarian but later the Renaissance unlocked opportunities to the imagination and the idea of supernatural started to bloom. Although, the supernatural is sometime mistaken with the gods of certain religions, believing in ghosts and witches was independent from the people chosen religion. The question of the existence of the supernatural, or something bigger than us, in 16th century Europe focused mainly on God from the Christian perspective. During this time other supernaturalRead MoreMacbeth Major Work Notes1241 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth Major Works Notes 1. Title: The Tragedy of Macbeth, Author: William Shakespeare, Nationality: English, Date of original publication: 1623, no translator (â€Å"SparkNotes†) 2. Setting: Macbeth took place during the eleventh century (The Middle Ages) (â€Å"SparkNotes†), briefly in England, but mainly in Scotland. The social environment valued friendship among free, white,, and relatively equal men. There was a significant amount of religious conflict, women were held as inferior to men, and the monarchRead MoreEssay on Superstition in William Shakespeares Macbeth1284 Words   |  6 PagesSuperstition in William Shakespeares Macbeth Throughout Elizabethan times, Witches and witchcraft were considered to be in existence. Seeing a large proportion of the female community being condemned to death, which involved either drowning, hanging or being burnt at the stake was quite plausible at this time. Such savage practices were urged on by macabre and fevered fantasy of the supernaturalRead More Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - Supernatural Forces Essay example775 Words   |  4 PagesThe Supernatural in Macbeth      Ã‚   In Macbeth, there are many sections that refer to the involvement of the supernatural.   The use of the supernatural in the script, the witches, the visions, the ghost of Banquo, and the apparitions, are key elements making the concept of the play work and in making the play interesting.   Witches, spirits, ghosts and apparitions are a major factor in developing the play.         Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The use of the supernatural occurs at the beginning of the play, withRead MoreDelhi Metro1656 Words   |  7 PagesShakespeare 4 Kidz MACBETH Rumbling Thunder sets the mood for the opening of the show. Three figures emerge from the shadows. They are three Witches – or Weird Sisters – foretellers of the future (The Opening). They look forward to meeting Macbeth. At King Duncan’s camp near Forres, a wounded sergeant tells of Macbeth’s heroics in battles against Macdonald and the rebels, while Ross reports that King Sweno of Norway and the traitorous Thane of Cawdor have also been defeated by Macbeth. The witches wait