“The words of the witches are fatal to the hero only because there is something in him which leaps at the sound of them; but they are at the same time the witness of forces which never cease to work in the world around him, and, on the instant of his surrender to them, entangle him inextricably in the web of Fate.” (AC Bradley) Discuss whether fate and the supernatural are to blame for Macbeth's tragic downfall Shakespeare's protagonist's whose fate is inextricably interwoven with the dark supernatural world of the Weird Sisters. This links to the Aristotelian view of tragedy; “as is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions” (Poetics- Book 6.2). Indeed, this “metaphysical aid” is blamed for Macbeth’s tragic fall as, immediately presented to us in the play's eerie, tempestuous opening, they declare, “there to meet with Macbeth.” This would have elicited responses of “horrified sympathy and awe,” from the audience as the Witches’ dialogue suggests that they are singling him; mere mortal in whose life they intend to meddle. This makes him a tragic hero, who suffers at the hands of fate, and has little control over his destiny. That said, the playwright's juxtaposition of the supernatural with the initial portrayal of an individual at his highest peak firmly establishes the protagonist as “traditionally” heroic.
Through the use of darkness and concealment, Shakespeare not only serves the purpose of lending the play to the Gothic genre, but both elements also work as a catalyst in order to trigger future events in Macbeth. Darkness is heavily sighted as being associated with evil in the play, seen in Lady Macbeth’s monologue. The femme fatale character calls “come,thick night” when she asks to be unsexed by “spirits.” Here, Shakespeare associates night time with the unnatural and thus comments on how darkness can sometimes cloak the “human kindness” in a person. Here, night time is used to mask the kindness associated with femininity, and therefore Lady Macbeth is able to cloak herself in “thick” darkness in order to become a key component in Duncan’s death. This is significant in revealing character in Macbeth.
Evil is first inferred in Macbeth when we first meet the Weyward Sisters (witches) and they cantillate something: ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair.’ This juxtaposition of words indicates an unnatural feel which creates the feel of imminent evil from a possibly supernatural perpetrator. This line is later reprised by Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 3 when he declares ‘so foul and fair a day I have not seen.’ This could insinuate that Macbeth and the witches may be having similar thoughts without even meeting yet. Alternatively, one could infer that the witches may have already infected Macbeth’s mind with their sinister way of thinking which could give reason as why such a noble man commits regicide. AC Bradley provides a divergent theory on the Weyward Sisters. He says: ‘They are old women, poor and ragged, skinny and hideous, full of vulgar spite, occupied in killing their neighbours' swine or revenging themselves on sailors' wives who have refused them chestnuts.’ In light of this comment, the sisters can be perceived as mad women that exclaim fallacies of success and wealth to warriors and those of weak mind, such as Macbeth, will commit to said fallacies and this will inaugurate their demise.
Throughout Scene 1-4 Macbeth is portrayed as a heroic and valiant man, however with sly and manipulative characteristics brought out by the Witches. The use of structure and language allows Shakespeare to present both Macbeths flaws and weaknesses to the audience. Structurally scene 1 opens with the witches gathered together reciting plans about meeting Macbeth, establishing an occult malevolence which permeates the play. The choice of starting with the witches instantly creates a mood of terror and unearthly evil, setting an unnatural and deceptive atmosphere. The third witch says, ‘There to meet Macbeth’, this intertwining of Macbeth reflects the relationship which will be made between him and the witches, and the evil which is going to be involved in Macbeth’s life.
Thesis: In Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, the use of imagery with the darkness of the setting, night, and blood help to create an ominous atmosphere and contribute to the plot of the play. I. Shakespeare's use of darkness in his setting contributes to the ominous mood of the play. A. For example, the first witch states, “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” 1.
Presence of Evil Between the Lines When evil is presented in a fashion that is quite simple to manipulate to satisfy one’s needs, it is usually taken advantage of. Although Macbeth and the remainder of the characters only existed within the invented pages of William Shakespeare’s book Macbeth, they still fell into the trap of allowing the evil around them to take over their lives. The three witches and Hecate, the act of murder, the murder of King Duncan the slaying of Banquo and the presence of his ghost, Lady Macbeth and her sleepwalking all signify different aspect of evil. The presence of evil in Macbeth affected the characters within the play, how they carried about their lives, and the total outcome of the play. By creating a false sense of destiny within Macbeth, the three witches are considered as a significant role portraying evil within the play.
He is filled with thoughts of betrayal and is eager to become King. He is unsure if he should act upon getting the title or if it will just end up in his hands. Shakespeare has incorporated the use of Pathetic fallacy constantly throughout the entire play to reflect emotions and events. He outlines this technique on the gathering of the three witches where they only appear in darkness and during thunderstorms. It establishes a gloomy and bleak atmosphere and foreshadows the horrifying events that are to occur further on in the play.
The Supernatural Aspects of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar William Shakespeare incorporates many supernatural occurrences in his plays including Julius Caesar. These events occur in forms such as visions, dreams, psychic sayings, apparitions, and natural phenomenons. The character's responses to these superstitious experiences often alter their choices of good and bad and of life, death, and revenge. Some omens alter choices that were made pertaining to life. Int he early parts of the play, a soothsayer warns Caesar to beware the ides of March.
He reasons that the witches are evil and not to be trusted “Banquo: That, trusted home,/ Might yet enkindle you unto the crown,/ Besides the Thane of Cawdor. But ‘tis strange:/ And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,/ The instruments of darkness tell us truths,/ Win us with honest trifles, to betray’s/ in deepest consequence” (1.3.129-136) Unlike Macbeth, Banquo is more cautious upon hearing the witches’ prophecies. Although he is an ambitious man himself, he recognizes that they are “instruments of darkness”. Banquo associates the witches with darkness because of their ability to earn Macbeth’s trust by telling him a truth, which he will become the Thane of Cawdor, then feeding into his ruthless ego by prophesying that we will become king. After he hears that he will become king he feels the need to make it come true, even if it means killing Duncan.
But with further examination, when they state, “Fair is foul, and Foul is fair,” they are using a paradox by inversely relating fair to being foul, and foul to being fair. This emphasizes the meaning that nothing is as it seems; Macbeth is fought to be this fair, amazing person but in reality he is as foul as “ the devil himself.” While on the other hand the witches are foul, vile creatures that gives Macbeth fair advice; which helps influence Macbeth faith. In Act 1, scene iii , lines 124-128, Banquo warns Macbeth of the witches prophecies, and the danger that lies behind them, calling them “ instruments of darkness that tells us the truth” only “ to betray’s/ In deepest consequence.” In other words, the witches only tell you what you want to hear, and leaves the negative aspect of their visions for you to find out later on when it is too late. This is an example of a synecdoche and an indirect metaphor, because Banquo is stating and comparing the witches to “instruments of darkness,” and just like an instrument the witches are able to lure Macbeth into believing he will be king only to deceive him at the end of the play; which ultimately leads to his death. This connects to the quote said by Lady Macbeth when she states, “ Hie thee hither/ That I may pour my spirits in thine ear/ And chastise with the valor of my tounge/ All that impedes thee from the golden round.