Supernatural Flashcards
How do the witches’ prophecies influence Macbeth’s actions?
The witches’ prophecies set the course for Macbeth’s ambition and desire for power. They manipulate him by revealing his potential greatness but leave out the consequences, leading to his downfall.
What does the witches’ chant ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair’ suggest about the supernatural theme?
This paradoxical statement suggests the blurring of moral boundaries and the inversion of the natural order, setting the tone for the chaos and disorder that will follow in the play. It reflects the witches’ ability to create confusion and subvert reality.
What role does Banquo’s ghost play in the supernatural theme of the play?
Banquo’s ghost appears at Macbeth’s banquet, symbolizing guilt and Macbeth’s inability to escape the consequences of his actions. The ghost highlights the psychological torment Macbeth faces after committing murder and shows the supernatural consequences of his deeds.
What does the appearance of the floating dagger represent in the play?
The floating dagger that Macbeth sees before murdering King Duncan represents his inner conflict and guilt. It’s a supernatural hallucination that symbolizes his murderous intent and foreshadows the bloody actions that follow.
How do the apparitions shown to Macbeth by the witches affect his confidence and actions?
The apparitions give Macbeth a false sense of invincibility and control. They predict his downfall but in ways that deceive him into believing he is invulnerable. The supernatural elements here contribute to his arrogance and eventual defeat.
How does the supernatural influence the theme of fate in Macbeth?
The supernatural elements, especially the witches’ prophecies, emphasize the idea of fate. While Macbeth believes he is controlling his destiny, the supernatural forces seem to direct him towards his inevitable downfall, raising questions about free will versus fate.
How does Lady Macbeth’s invocation of spirits reflect the supernatural theme?
In Act 1, Scene 5, Lady Macbeth calls on spirits to “unsex” her, asking for supernatural forces to give her the strength to carry out her ruthless plans. This invocation highlights her willingness to embrace dark forces to gain power and challenges the natural order.
How do the supernatural elements, like the visions of Banquo and the floating dagger, relate to Macbeth’s guilt?
The supernatural visions act as manifestations of Macbeth’s guilty conscience. They reveal how his sense of morality breaks down after committing murder and the way his psyche unravels due to his actions.
How does the supernatural contribute to the overall atmosphere of Macbeth?
The supernatural elements create an atmosphere of fear, confusion, and foreboding. They evoke a sense of chaos, moral disorder, and the unknown, enhancing the tension and psychological torment of the characters.
In what way are the witches catalysts for Macbeth’s downfall?
The witches provide the initial prophecy that sparks Macbeth’s ambition. However, their cryptic nature and manipulation lead him to make disastrous choices. They catalyze the chain of events that result in his destruction, making them key figures in the supernatural theme.
How do the witches’ prophecies influence Macbeth?
The witches’ prophecies spark Macbeth’s ambition and set him on a path to power, but their ambiguity and manipulation lead to his downfall.
What does “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” represent?
It symbolizes the blurring of moral boundaries and the inversion of the natural order, setting the tone for chaos and corruption.
What role does Banquo’s ghost play in the supernatural theme?
Banquo’s ghost represents Macbeth’s guilt, showing his psychological torment after committing murder.
What does the floating dagger symbolize?
The floating dagger represents Macbeth’s inner conflict and murderous intent, foreshadowing his violent actions.
How do the apparitions affect Macbeth?
The apparitions give Macbeth a false sense of security, leading him to make reckless decisions based on misleading prophecies.
How does the supernatural explore fate in Macbeth?
The supernatural, especially the witches, creates a sense of fate, leading Macbeth to believe his actions are predestined, blurring the line between free will and destiny.
How does Lady Macbeth use the supernatural?
Lady Macbeth invokes dark spirits to strip her of compassion and gain the power to commit murder, challenging the natural order.
How does the supernatural reflect Macbeth’s guilt?
Supernatural visions, like Banquo’s ghost and the floating dagger, act as manifestations of Macbeth’s guilt and deteriorating mental state.
How does darkness relate to the supernatural in Macbeth?
Darkness is linked to the supernatural, symbolizing evil and moral corruption, especially through the witches and Lady Macbeth’s actions.
How does Macbeth’s belief in the supernatural lead to his downfall?
Macbeth’s overreliance on the witches’ prophecies leads to his arrogance and poor decision-making, ultimately resulting in his demise.
How does the supernatural influence Macbeth’s actions?
The supernatural, through the witches’ prophecies, manipulates Macbeth into believing he is destined for greatness, fueling his ambition and causing him to commit murder to fulfill his “fate.”
What does the supernatural reveal about Macbeth’s character?
Macbeth’s interaction with the supernatural shows his vulnerability to manipulation and his growing obsession with power, as he allows his actions to be guided by external forces rather than moral reasoning.
How is the supernatural linked to corruption in the play?
The supernatural corrupts the natural order; the witches’ predictions and dark forces like Lady Macbeth’s invocation of spirits destabilize reality, causing moral decay and leading to violence.
How do the supernatural events reflect Scotland’s state?
Unnatural events, such as storms and the death of Duncan, mirror Scotland’s political and moral disorder under Macbeth’s reign, suggesting that the supernatural is a reflection of the chaos he causes.
What does the disruption of nature symbolize in the supernatural theme?
The unnatural occurrences, like the owl killing the falcon, symbolize the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth’s unnatural deeds, reinforcing the play’s supernatural tension.
How do Macbeth’s visions relate to the supernatural?
Macbeth’s hallucinations, such as the floating dagger and Banquo’s ghost, symbolize his growing paranoia and guilt, showing how the supernatural manifests his troubled conscience.
How does the language of the witches contribute to the supernatural?
The witches speak in paradoxes and riddles, using cryptic language that distorts reality, making the supernatural seem mysterious and manipulative, which adds to the play’s eerie atmosphere.
How does the supernatural set the tone for the play?
The witches’ appearances, their eerie chants, and the unnatural events foreshadow tragedy, creating an ominous and unsettling atmosphere that permeates the entire play.
How does Macbeth’s mental decline connect to the supernatural?
Macbeth’s increasing belief in supernatural forces, such as his obsession with the witches’ prophecies, coincides with his mental decline, as he loses touch with reality and becomes consumed by his guilt.
How does the supernatural heighten tension in Macbeth?
The unpredictable nature of the supernatural creates suspense and mystery, keeping the audience on edge, and amplifying the play’s psychological and moral conflict.
Fill in the quote: “All hail, _______! Thane of Glamis! All hail, _______! Thane of Cawdor! All hail, _______ that shalt be king hereafter!”
“All hail, Macbeth! Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”
Fill in the quote: “_______ is foul, and foul is _______: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
“Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”
Fill in the quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, _______ me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe topful of _______ cruelty!”
“Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe topful of direst cruelty!”
Fill in the quote: “Is this a _______ which I see before me, the handle toward my _______? Come, let me clutch thee.”
“Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.”
Fill in the quote: “Thou canst not say I _______ it: never shake thy _______ locks at me.”
“Thou canst not say I did it: never shake thy gory locks at me.”
Fill in the quote: “None of woman _______ shall harm Macbeth.”
“None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
Fill in the quote: “If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which _______ will grow and which will not, _______ then to me.”
“If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me.”
Fill in the quote: “To be thus is nothing, but to be _______ thus. Our _______ in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared.”
“To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared.”
Fill in the quote: “The night has been _______: where we lay, Our chimneys were _______ down, and as they say, Lamentings heard i’ the air, strange screams of _______.”
“The night has been unruly: where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down, and as they say, Lamentings heard i’ the air, strange screams of death.”
Fill in the quote: “I will not be afraid of _______ and bane, Till _______ Forest come to Dunsinane.”
“I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane.”
How would you analyse the quote: “All hail, Macbeth! Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth! Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”?
The witches’ prophecies ignite Macbeth’s ambition and manipulate his fate. The repetition of “All hail” creates a hypnotic effect, suggesting the witches’ control over Macbeth’s destiny, leading him to act on his desires.
How would you analyse the quote: “Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.”?
The paradox reflects the moral ambiguity of the witches and the blurring of good and evil. It introduces the theme of disorder and chaos, foreshadowing the play’s breakdown of the natural and moral order.
How would you analyse the quote: “Come, you spirits that tend on mortal thoughts, unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe topful of direst cruelty!”?
Lady Macbeth’s invocation of spirits reveals her rejection of natural femininity and desire for power. The supernatural becomes a tool for her to embrace cruelty and achieve her ambitions.
How would you analyse the quote: “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.”?
Macbeth’s hallucination of the dagger symbolizes his internal conflict and guilt. The supernatural blurs reality, revealing his psychological turmoil as he contemplates murder.
How would you analyse the quote: “Thou canst not say I did it: never shake thy gory locks at me.”?
Banquo’s ghost represents Macbeth’s guilt. The supernatural manifestation of his conscience reveals Macbeth’s deteriorating mental state and the consequences of his violent actions.
How would you analyse the quote: “None of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”?
The prophecy gives Macbeth a false sense of invincibility, manipulating his belief in fate. The supernatural element misleads him, leading to his overconfidence and eventual downfall.
How would you analyse the quote: “If you can look into the seeds of time, And say which grain will grow and which will not, Speak then to me.”?
Macbeth’s desire to control his future shows his reliance on the supernatural. The witches’ cryptic language suggests that fate is manipulated and uncertain, influencing Macbeth’s decisions.
How would you analyse the quote: “To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus. Our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared.”?
Macbeth’s fear of Banquo’s descendants reflects his insecurity and obsession with control. The supernatural influence feeds his paranoia, driving him to violence as he believes his fate is threatened.
How would you analyse the quote: “The night has been unruly: where we lay, Our chimneys were blown down, and as they say, Lamentings heard i’ the air, strange screams of death.”?
The unnatural events mirror Scotland’s political disorder under Macbeth. The supernatural disturbances reflect the disruption of the natural order caused by Macbeth’s reign.
How would you analyse the quote: “I will not be afraid of death and bane, Till Birnam Forest come to Dunsinane.”?
Macbeth’s belief in his invincibility, based on the witches’ prophecy, reflects his overconfidence. The supernatural misleads him into ignoring real threats, leading to his downfall.
