Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - The Witches Role :: Macbeth essays

        In Shakespe bes time, many people were superstitious they believedthat that their lives were spring across-the-boardy influenced, if not dictated by fate.  Theyalso thought that the world was full of supernatural creatures, such as witches,ghosts, and many other such beings.  Shakespeare incarnate these aspects ofbelief in his play Mac Beth.  The witches, although accurately predicting whatwould occur, i.e., Mac Beth would be king, they did not specify how theirprophecies would be realized.        The witches did possess some sort of power (unless they were privy tosome political information which MacBeth was not aware of), otherwise, how couldthey harbour known that MacBeth had been appointed Thane of Cawdor?  Of course,once MacBeth, who, living in such a society, was superstitious, is presentedwith Cawdors title, he believes that the other prediction, namely his kingship,must beget true.  Banqu o notes the danger essential in believing (and subsequentlyacting on) the witches predictions he says, Were such things hither as we dospeak roughly?/Or have we eaten on the insane root/That takes the reasonprisoner?  Act I, scene 3, ll.83-85.         MacBeth is quite overwhelmed when he hears that he is now the Thane ofCawdor.  However, almost immediately, he starts thinking about how to bringabout his rule as king.         Aside Two truths are told,        As happy prologues to the swelling act        Of the imperial source.I thank you, gentlemen.        Aside This supernatural soliciting        Cannot be ill, cannot be good.  If ill,        Why hath it given me yearning of success,        Commencing in a truth?  I am the thane of C awdor.        If good, why do I yield to that suggestion        Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair        And specify my seated heart knock at my ribs,        Against the use of nature?  make fears        Are less than horrible imaginings        My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,        Shakes so my single state of man that function        Is smothered in theory and nothing is        But what is not.  (1.3.127-141)         MacBeth seems to be fantasizing about having a direct map in Duncansdownfall.  He apparently believes that the only way to make the witchespredictions come about, is to act on his urges (although he attained the titleof Cawdor without any out-of-door e ffort).         A wife has a large influence on her husbands thinking.  chick MacBethtries to persuade MacBeth to murder Duncan.  Throughout Act I, scene 5, thereare many speeches in which she tries to convince him.  However, the monologuemost relevant to my theme is Lady MacBeths first speech