Essay Plan for The Supernatural

Beginning of the play

At the beginning of the play, Shakespeare initially utilises this to establish the immediate presence of the supernatural through the witches’ association with an unnatural and unsettling atmosphere, he later presents the witches’ influence on Macbeth’s psyche through their equivocation, leading to the downfall of Macbeth’s mental state.

• “Fair is foul and foul is fair”

• “So foul and fair a day I have not seen”

“Fair is foul, and foul is fair” (Act 1, Scene 1)

• The fricative sound, creates a sinister and uneasy tone to the play.

• The repetition of “foul” and “fair” as an oxymoron suggests the two are interchangeable, emphasised further by the definite “is”. “Foul” is far more dominating and intimidating than “fair” is pleasant and caring - the evil element of the witches overpowers any truth in their actions.

• The king at the time, James I, wrote a book stating all magic was evil - this chant sounds almost like a magic spell, and the audience would fear it.

• The line overshadows the overturning of natural order later in the play. Following Macbeth being prophesied as king, the play is filled with images of corruption, putrefaction, strange omens and foulness of all kinds.

• The pair of opposites “foul” and “fair”, ultimately dissolve into one; fair has been rendered foul, and foul has been rendered fair (the murder of Duncan in order for Macbeth to assume the throne). Good and evil appear to have swapped places.

• It highlights the play's central theme of appearance versus reality, suggesting that things are not always what they seem. This is crucial because the witches' prophecies, seemingly benevolent, lead to Macbeth's tragic downfall.

“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” (Act 1, Scene 3)

• This quotation mirrors the words of the witches in Act 1, Scene 1, foreshadowing his later involvement with them.

• In this quote, Macbeth is commenting on the strange and paradoxical nature of the day. The day is “foul” because it is characterised by thunder, lightning and a general sense of darkness and evil, following the bloodshed of the battle against the Norwegians, but it is also “fair” due to the fact Macbeth has been named ‘Thane of Cawdor’, a high-ranking title he did not expect to receive.

• This quote sets the tone for the rest of the play, as it introduces the idea of the ambiguous nature of reality and the blurred lines between good and evil.

• It also foreshadows Macbeth’s own internal struggle with his ambition and his eventual descent into darkness and madness.

Middle of the Play

However, Shakespeare utilises the middle of the play to amplify the supernatural as a corrupting influence on Macbeth’s mental state through his vision of the dagger, and yet simultaneously depict them as a manipulative force through the witches prophecies, which embolden Macbeth’s ambition through their manipulation of the truth.

• “Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle towards my hand? Come let me clutch thee: I have thee not, and yet I still see thee still.” (2.1)

• “Be bloody, bold, and resolute.” (4.1)

Is this a dagger which I see before me,The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee: I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.“ (Act 2, Scene 1)

• Macbeth is hallucinating, showing the deterioration of his state of mind and the influences the witches have had on him.

• The dagger symbolises both the act of murder and the moral consequences that follow. It is a "dagger of the mind," a metaphor for his guilty conscience that will continue to torment him.

• The question “is this” is representative of Macbeth’s state of mind - he is full of uncertainty and doubt.

• The fact that it is a “dagger” before him suggests his mind has become corrupted by violence - the handle of the dagger is pointing towards his hand, almost inviting him to use it.

• In a patriarchal society, male leaders are not meant to have doubt - they are meant to be powerful, certain and strong. Macbeth has become a weaker warrior since the events of Act 1, Scene 1.

“Be bloody, bold and resolute. Laugh to scorn the power of man.” (Act 4, Scene 1)

• An exhortation made by the witches to Macbeth, as it is the witches who foretold him of his destiny as the king of Scotland.

• He use of "Be" and "Laugh" are commands that demonstrate the witches' authoritative role in Macbeth's transformation. They instil a sense of urgency and compel Macbeth to embrace violence and ambition. This reflects the witches' role as agents of fate and manipulation, as they use language to steer Macbeth towards his doom.

• The repetition of the 'b' sound in "bloody," "bold," and "resolute" creates a rhythmic quality that emphasizes the witches' sinister nature and the dark path they are encouraging Macbeth to take. This technique mirrors the witches' use of rhythmic chants and spells, which are designed to unsettle and manipulate.

• The juxtaposition of "bloody" with "bold" and "resolute" highlights the moral conflict within Macbeth, suggesting that to be strong, one must also be ruthless. This reflects the witches' ability to blur the lines between good and evil, a theme that is central to the play.

• Shakespeare used the witches to signal to his audience that Scotland was in a vulnerable and unsettled state, mirroring the political instability and anxieties about power dynamics of the time.

End of the Play

Finally, Shakespeare used the end of the play to reveal the ultimate consequences of Macbeth’s reliance on the supernatural, leading to a profound sense of futility and meaninglessness, highlighting the lasting perception of Macbeth as a figure defined by his heinous acts of regicide and his connection to malevolent, supernatural forces.

• “A tale is told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (5.5)

• “Dead butcher and his fiend-like queen”

“A tale is told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” (Act 5, Scene 5)

• Shakespeare utilises a powerful metaphor comparing life to a “tale” to convey Macbeth’s profound despair and disillusionment, which reflects the ultimate emptiness he feels after pursuing his ambition by suggesting that life lacks meaning and coherence, highlighting the devastating consequences of his ambition and the anagnorisis the supernatural ultimately led him to.

• The imagery in “full of sound and fury”, emphasises the chaotic and ultimately meaningless nature of his violent reign, which suggests a period of intense activity or emotion which ultimately led to nothing.

• This serves as a cautionary tale to unchecked ambition, and the hollowness of life built upon violence and the deception of the supernatural.

“dead butcher and his fiend-like queen”

• This phrase is highly symbolic, referring to someone who kills without feeling or remorse. It contrasts sharply with Macbeth's initial portrayal as a brave and valiant general. The noun "dead" emphasises the lack of life and feeling in Macbeth's actions. By comparing him to a butcher, Malcolm suggests that Macbeth has become a common murderer, driven by ambition and a loss of moral compass.

• ‘Butcher’ connotes violence and brutality, epitomising Macbeth as a leader - he has brutally butchered Scotland in his own quest for power.

• Lady Macbeth is described as "fiend-like," suggesting a connection to evil and demonic forces. This imagery highlights her manipulative nature and her influence over Macbeth, who is portrayed as easily swayed by her ambition. The comparison to a fiend emphasizes her role as a force of chaos and destruction.

• Malcolm's lack of use of their names in the description further emphasizes their moral decline. By referring to them as "butcher" and "fiend-like queen," Malcolm highlights their fall from the position of respect and honor they once held.

• Possessive pronoun ‘his’ highlights that even after death and the atrocities they both committed, Lady Macbeth is still her husband’s property.

• The phrase "dead butcher and his fiend-like queen" underscores the play's core themes of ambition, power, and the corrupting influence of unchecked desire. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's descent into violence and evil is a direct consequence of their thirst for power and their willingness to sacrifice morality for ambition.