supernatural Flashcards
introduction:
In Shakespeare’s tragedy, the supernatural is presented as having an irresistible allure which holds immense power, tempting the individuals (most notably Macbeth and Lady Macbeth) by leveraging their desires and ambitions. As they succumb to this force invariably, it becomes a path that leads to their inevitable downfall.
what are the key ideas for the supernatural?
- witches (agents of chaos)
- Macbeth (hallucinations)
- Lady Macbeth
topic sentence for paragraph 1 (witches- agents of chaos)
From the very first scene, the witches (a key symbol of the supernatural) are depicted as otherworldly and disruptive.
quotes to use for paragraph 1 (witches- agents of chaos):
“fair is foul and foul is fair”
“instruments of darkness”
“fire burn, hell-broth, bubble”
analyse “fair is foul and foul is fair”
Their paradoxical chant “fair is foul and foul is fair” subverts normal iambic pentameter, creating an eerie, spell-like rhythm. It foreshadows how Macbeth’s ambition (his hamartia) leads him to commit terrible acts while believing he is acting for the greater good, thus presenting the witches as agents of chaos.
analyse “instruments of darkness”
They are also described by Banquo as “instruments of darkness”. The auditory image created by the lexis “instruments” to characterise the witches implies a malevolent musicality. This showcases how their words possess an almost hypnotic trance for Macbeth. Furthermore, the choice of “instruments” suggests a deliberate orchestration of their deceit, framing their speech as a manipulative melodic composition that enchants its victims. Meanwhile, the ‘d’ plosive sound in the word “darkness” creates a harsh sound that further emphasises this dark, ominous and grim destiny they inflict upon Macbeth
analyse “fire burn, hell broth, bubble”
Moreover, the selection of words such as “fire burn”, “hell-broth” and “bubble” that the Witches’ speak crafts a semantic field of hell. This strengthens the idea that the Witches’ supernatural abilities are intrinsically linked to malignance. The connection to the devil would have also been shocking to a Jacobean audience, as witchcraft was widely feared and condemned. Thus, Shakespeare presents the witches as supernatural agents of chaos
paragraph 1 analysis (witches- agents of chaos):
From the very first scene, the witches (a key symbol of the supernatural) are depicted as otherworldly and disruptive. Their paradoxical chant “fair is foul and foul is fair” subverts normal iambic pentameter, creating an eerie, spell-like rhythm. It foreshadows how Macbeth’s ambition (his hamartia) leads him to commit terrible acts while believing he is acting for the greater good, thus presenting the witches as agents of chaos. They are also described by Banquo as “instruments of darkness”. The auditory image created by the lexis “instruments” to characterise the witches implies a malevolent musicality. This showcases how their words possess an almost hypnotic trance for Macbeth. Furthermore, the choice of “instruments” suggests a deliberate orchestration of their deceit, framing their speech as a manipulative melodic composition that enchants its victims. Meanwhile, the ‘d’ plosive sound in the word “darkness” creates a harsh sound that further emphasises this dark, ominous and grim destiny they inflict upon Macbeth. Moreover, the selection of words such as “fire burn”, “hell-broth” and “bubble” that the Witches’ speak crafts a semantic field of hell. This strengthens the idea that the Witches’ supernatural abilities are intrinsically linked to malignance. The connection to the devil would have also been shocking to a Jacobean audience, as witchcraft was widely feared and condemned. Thus, Shakespeare presents the witches as supernatural agents of chaos.
topic sentence for paragraph 2 (macbeth- hallucinations)
The supernatural also manifests in Macbeth’s hallucinations, symbolising both his guilt and descent into madness.
quotes to use in paragraph 2 (macbeth- hallucinations):
“so foul and fair a day I have not seen”
“dagger of the mind”
“never shake thy gory locks at me!”
analyse “so foul and fair a day i have not seen”
Macbeth’s first line within the play, “so foul and fair a day I have not seen” immediately echoes the witches’ paradoxical chant, suggesting that he is already bound to their supernatural influence. This foreshadows that he will become a vessel for the supernatural corruption from the outset.
analyse “dagger of the mind”
His first hallucination, the “dagger of the mind” also appears before he commits regicide. The motif of visionary deception highlights how Macbeth is losing touch with reality, as he can no longer distinguish between illusion and the truth. Furthermore, the symbolism of the “dagger” foreshadows how the supernatural drives him to commit unforgivable crimes.
analyse “never shake thy gory locks at me”
Similarly, he is haunted by Banquo’s ghost: “never shake thy gory locks at me!”. This highlights how he has internalised both the influence of the supernatural and the guilt it brings, since he is no longer able to repress his guilt. Thus, the supernatural is seen to ultimately consume him.
paragraph 2 analysis (macbeth- hallucinations)
The supernatural also manifests in Macbeth’s hallucinations, symbolising both his guilt and descent into madness. Macbeth’s first line within the play, “so foul and fair a day I have not seen” immediately echoes the witches’ paradoxical chant, suggesting that he is already bound to their supernatural influence. This foreshadows that he will become a vessel for the supernatural corruption from the outset. His first hallucination, the “dagger of the mind” also appears before he commits regicide. The motif of visionary deception highlights how Macbeth is losing touch with reality, as he can no longer distinguish between illusion and the truth. Furthermore, the symbolism of the “dagger” foreshadows how the supernatural drives him to commit unforgivable crimes. Similarly, he is haunted by Banquo’s ghost: “never shake thy gory locks at me!”. This highlights how he has internalised both the influence of the supernatural and the guilt it brings, since he is no longer able to repress his guilt. Thus, the supernatural is seen to ultimately consume him.
topic sentence for paragraph 3 (lady macbeth):
Alternatively, Lady Macbeth aligns herself with the supernatural, yet she ultimately becomes consumed by the guilt and paranoia caused by it.
quotes to use in paragraph 3 (lady macbeth):
“come you spirits”
“unsex me here”
“out damned spot, out i say”
“a little water clears us of this dead”
“with a taper”
“thick night”
analyse “come you spirits”
By employing imperative phrases like “come you spirits”, demonstrates a commanding familiarity with the ominous supernatural realm.
analyse “unsex me here”
She willingly invites these forces, seeking liberation from the societal constraints imposed by her femininity: “unsex me here”. Her androgynous nature would have been perceived as supernatural in the Jacobean era, where gender roles were rigid. Furthermore, the syntax of “spirits” preceding “unsex” creates the impression of a witch-like summoning ritual, suggesting that she is invoking the supernatural to aid her.
analyse “out damn spot out i say”
However, despite initially embracing the supernatural, she eventually falls victim to it. By Act 5, she is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming “out, damned spot! Out I say!”, which directly juxtaposes her litotes in Act 1 (“a little water clears us of this deed”). This allows the audience to see how the supernatural has corrupted and ultimately destroyed her mind.
analyse “with a taper”
She also has a constant need for light (she is always seen to be “with a taper”) illustrating her fear of darkness- an antithesis to her earlier presentation in Act 1 where she calls upon the “thick night”. This reinforces the idea that aligning with the supernatural was a fatal mistake, as she is essentially a hollow remnant of her former self.
analysis for paragraph 3 (lady macbeth):
Alternatively, Lady Macbeth aligns herself with the supernatural, yet she ultimately becomes consumed by guilt and paranoia caused by it. By employing imperative phrases like “come you spirits”, demonstrates a commanding familiarity with the ominous supernatural realm. She willingly invites these forces, seeking liberation from the societal constraints imposed by her femininity: “unsex me here”. Her androgynous nature would have been perceived as supernatural in the Jacobean era, where gender roles were rigid. Furthermore, the syntax of “spirits” preceding “unsex” creates the impression of a witch-like summoning ritual, suggesting that she is invoking the supernatural to aid her. However, despite initially embracing the supernatural, she eventually falls victim to it. By Act 5, she is driven to a state of somnambulism and hallucinogenic madness exclaiming “out, damned spot! Out I say!”, which directly juxtaposes her litotes in Act 1 (“a little water clears us of this deed”). This allows the audience to see how the supernatural has corrupted and ultimately destroyed her mind. She also has a constant need for light (she is always seen to be “with a taper”) illustrating her fear of darkness- an antithesis to her earlier presentation in Act 1 where she calls upon the “thick night”. This reinforces the idea that aligning with the supernatural was a fatal mistake, as she is essentially a hollow remnant of her former self.
conclusion on how the supernatural is presented:
Therefore, Shakespeare presents the supernatural as both a manipulative force and a reflection of human temptation. The witches perhaps represent Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s inner darkness, or alternatively, they could be seen as agents of fate- merely encouraging them to act upon their true nature. Regardless, the supernatural is evidently an unstoppable force.
