SUPERNATURAL Flashcards
overview
The supernatural in Macbeth creates an eerie atmosphere and drives the plot. The Witches manipulate Macbeth with their prophecies, while visions like Banquo’s ghost and the floating dagger reflect guilt and ambition. Shakespeare explores Jacobean fears of witchcraft, showing how meddling with dark forces leads to destruction.
Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
In Macbeth, the witches’ line “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” in Act 1, Scene 1 introduces a central theme of the play: the blurring of moral boundaries and the idea that appearances can be deceiving. The phrase is a paradox, as “fair” usually represents something good or just, while “foul” is associated with evil or corruption. By reversing these ideas, Shakespeare challenges the audience’s understanding of right and wrong. This theme is reflected in Macbeth’s own journey, as he transitions from a noble hero to a tyrant consumed by ambition. The alliteration of the “f” sound in “fair” and “foul” makes the phrase stand out, emphasizing the contradiction at the heart of the play. The witches’ chant foreshadows the confusion and chaos that will follow, highlighting how nothing in the world of Macbeth is as it seems, and how the line between good and evil is increasingly difficult to distinguish.
“All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter.”
The quote “All hail Macbeth that shalt be king hereafter,” spoken by the three witches in Macbeth, is significant because it foreshadows Macbeth’s rise to power and sets the course for his tragic downfall. The phrase “All hail” is a formal, almost royal greeting, suggesting Macbeth is already being acknowledged as king, which highlights the witches’ supernatural influence. The use of “shalt” instead of “will” gives the prophecy a sense of inevitability, implying that Macbeth’s ascent to the throne is fated. This choice of language also reflects the witches’ mystical, authoritative tone. The moment is ironic because, although the prophecy seems like a blessing, it is the catalyst for Macbeth’s ambition and moral decline. His desire to fulfill the prophecy leads him to commit murder and betray his own values, ultimately causing his destruction. This line is crucial in the play because it plants the seed of ambition in Macbeth’s mind, pushing him towards the dark actions that follow.
is this a dagger which I see before me
In Act 2, Scene 1 of Macbeth, the line “Is this a dagger which I see before me?” reveals Macbeth’s internal conflict and the overwhelming power of his ambition. The rhetorical question highlights his uncertainty, as he is unsure whether the dagger is real or a hallucination, which signals his growing madness and moral confusion. Shakespeare uses visual imagery to describe the dagger as if it’s a tangible object, yet it is a “false creation,” suggesting that Macbeth’s mind is conjuring it up in response to his desire to kill Duncan. The dagger becomes a symbol of violence and death, foreshadowing the murder and bloodshed to come. The use of personification further emphasizes the psychological torment Macbeth faces, as the dagger seems to guide him, despite his hesitation. Through this imagery, repetition, and rhetorical question, Shakespeare conveys the intense psychological struggle Macbeth endures as his ambition overrides his guilt and pushes him toward the crime, illustrating his growing detachment from reality.
Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble
In Macbeth, the quote “Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble” spoken by the witches in Act 4, Scene 1, creates an eerie and chaotic atmosphere. The repetition of the word “double” suggests the intensification of trouble, hinting at the witches’ malicious power. The imagery of “fire burn” and “cauldron bubble” conjures a sense of dark magic, with fire symbolizing destruction and the cauldron representing the brewing of fate. The rhythmic, chant-like repetition, particularly with the “b” sounds in “bubble” and “burn”, reinforces the witches’ incantations, suggesting their control over supernatural forces. Through these techniques, Shakespeare foreshadows the dark events ahead, highlighting the witches’ role as agents of chaos and the inevitable suffering that Macbeth will face.
Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”
In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s desperate cry “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!” (Act 5, Scene 1) reveals her overwhelming guilt and mental breakdown. The imperative verbs “Out” and “I say” show her trying to command the imaginary bloodstain to disappear, just as she once ordered Macbeth to commit murder, but now she has lost all control. The noun “spot” symbolises Duncan’s blood and represents her guilt, while “damned” suggests she believes she is cursed, marking a stark contrast to her earlier confidence when she claimed “A little water clears us of this deed” (Act 2, Scene 2). The repetition and exclamation marks intensify her distress, making her speech frantic and chaotic. Shakespeare also uses dramatic irony, as the audience knows the stain isn’t real, making her madness even more tragic. This moment marks her psychological downfall; once dominant and ruthless, she is now tormented by her conscience. Shakespeare could be warning against unchecked ambition and linking to Jacobean beliefs in divine punishment, showing that guilt and sin are inescapable consequences of wrongdoing.
conclusion
The supernatural plays a key role in Macbeth’s conclusion, showing how fate and deception lead to his downfall. The witches’ prophecies, which once made him feel invincible, are revealed to be misleading when Birnam Wood moves and Macduff is not of woman born. This shows that Macbeth was never truly in control, and his death serves as divine punishment for his crimes, restoring order to Scotland. Lady Macbeth’s hallucinations and suicide also suggest the supernatural power of guilt. Ultimately, Shakespeare presents the supernatural as a force that tempts, deceives, and punishes, reinforcing the idea that unchecked ambition leads to destruction.
