‘Macbeth’ is a Shakespearean tragedy written in 1606 for King James I, who was known for his superstition and fear of the supernatural. Throughout the play, Shakespeare explores the theme of the supernatural and its consequences, which would have been relevant to audiences in the Jacobean era. Additionally, the play looks at gender representation, reflecting the rigid patriarchal society in which women were often seen as inferior to men. Through the supernatural and gender representation, Shakespeare keeps his audience interested by showing the beliefs and rules of the Jacobean era. The play also makes people think about how superstition and patriarchy affected society and the way people acted.
From the very beginning, Shakespeare presents the supernatural as a powerful and unsettling force that influences the world of the play. This key concern shows how unseen forces shape events and affect human behaviour in the play.
The audience is immediately drawn into a world that is dark and unstable. The stage direction, “Thunder and lightning. Enter three Witches” is an example of pathetic fallacy, which makes the audience feel that the world is already chaotic and unsafe. By showing the witches through stage directions, Shakespeare makes the supernatural feel real and immediate. This highlights the chaos and disorder the witches bring, showing that their presence strongly affects both the natural and moral order.
Following this, Shakespeare deepens the unsettling atmosphere through their chant, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair,” which creates an unnatural and eerie tone. The reversed phrasing shows that good and bad will be mixed together, making it hard for both the characters and the audience to know what to trust. This highlights the witches’ mysterious power and influence, foreshadowing the chaos and disorder that will affect Macbeth’s decisions and shape the events of the play.
Shakespeare further develops the influence of the supernatural through dramatic irony in the line, “All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king hereafter.” The audience knows that the witches are planting ideas that will influence Macbeth, even before he fully understands their meaning. This shows how the supernatural manipulates characters, driving Macbeth’s ambition that will lead to chaos and tragedy in the play.
Overall, these examples demonstrate that the supernatural is central to the tension and conflict in ‘Macbeth’, influencing the characters’ choices and shaping the rest of the story.