Natures Reaction to The Macbeth Murders

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Nature’s Reaction to The Macbeth Murders Macbeth’s defiance of God’s will through sacrilegious murders causes nature to react with terrible occurrences throughout Scotland. Spirits give proof of God’s displeasure by causing supernatural events. According to Fallon, “In Macbeth, in fact, all of nature responds to the murder of the king,” (142). Macbeth went against God’s will by killing Duncan. Hence, Duncan’s death started a disruption in nature. After Macbeth has dismissed the divine right of kings, or God’s “Anointed Temple,” evil and unnatural things immediately begin to happen. Lady Macbeth hears owls scream and crickets cry. Lennox proclaims that an earthquake hit. Also, at the same time as Duncan’s murder, Lennox announces, “Our chimneys were blown down.” Oddly, castle chimneys are extremely sturdy, and only a powerful, supernatural wind could blow them down. Stones float and trees talk as if to cry out against the unnatural murder. Screams of death are heard and prophecies are made. It is not natural for Duncan not to be King: these disturbing omens, such as cannibalistic horses, show a disruption in nature. Naturally, cannibalistic horses are non-existent and these are highly unnatural because horses are not carnivores. Besides physical omens, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth begin to suffer mentally. Macbeth’s sanity first starts slipping when he hears voices and has terrible nightmares. Moments before Duncan’s murder, Macbeth describes, “Nature seems dead, and wicked dreams abuse…” Ironically, nature’s wrath envelops the country seconds later, and Macbeth’s dream soon abuse his sleep. “These terrible dreams shake us nightly,” Macbeth proclaims, “Sleep no more!” His dreams become so bad that he finds Duncan to be luckier than him because he rest peacefully, while Macbeth would rather be dead. An owl has killed a falcon, and the country
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