Fate and Supernatural Flashcards
how do supernatural forces work throughout the play (3)
1 witches use spells and potions to influence Macbeth
2 Lady Macbeth calls on evil spirits to help her get what she wants
3 when Duncan is killed strange and unnatural events start to happen - it goes dark during the day, horses go mad and eat each other
how is fate a key theme
1 Shakesphere explores if people can control their own destiny
2 Macbeths downfall comes from his attempt to forlfil witches prophecy
3 It is unclear how much power the witches actually have over the future - are prophecies really fate or just playing with Macbeth and leading him astray- would he have murdered Duncan if he had not heard the prophecy?
What is Shakesphere’s message about fate
that those who try to control fate with evil deeds will be ruined
what are the supernatural elements used to represent
the characters feelings
What is the significance of Macbeth seeing Banquos ghost
it is not clear if the visions are real or hallucinations and thus are used to explore his mental state.
context
1 in Shakespherean times witches were considered real by most.
2 they were believed to have made a pact which caused mischief and harm - witchraft often blamed for unfortunate events such as bad harvest or outbreak of an illness.
3 Macbeth’s willingness to trust them will have been seen as a weakness
4 King James 1 was fascinated by them and published a book - Shakesphere may have included them to appeal to King James
key quotes
1 “fair is foul and foul is fair “
shows that throughout the play nothing is as it seems, things that seem good have terrible consequences
2 “ hail Macbeth hail Thane of Glamis, hail Macbeth hail Thane of Cawdor All Macbeth that shall be king “
witches have supernatural knowledge of the future.
how does Macbeth show his belief in Fate
“if chance will have me king, why chance may crown me”
shows he believes in fate and he will get the crown without having to do anything. It is Lady Macbeth who pushes him to murder
how does the witches appearance confuse Macbeth
“look not like inhabitants of this world” they look scarey and unusual the audience fear them “beards confuse him are they men or women
what is the significance of when the witches lists titles in order of importance
it is as if they can see into the future this happens again later then they tell Macbeth he is safe until Birnhamwood moves and he can’t be killed by a “man of woman born” they know things he doesn’t
how is mystery created
when Macbeth says “what are you “ instead of who it implies inhuman and creates mystery and reinforces the audieces fear
what is the purpose of repeating “all hail Macbeth” in the prophecy
gives the phrophecy a spell like quality .
how do Banquo and Macbeth diifer in their reactions to the witches
macbeth is easily manipulated and tempted by the dark forces a flaw that leads to his downfall
Banquo’s character is more careful - may be Shakespeares way of pleasing King James
