by Gina Macdonald

Created on: December 15, 2008

Macbeth and the Supernatural: Apparitions, Visions, Witches, and Daggers

Macbeth is widely known in the world of theatre as a play that supposedly brings bad luck to those who perform it. Accidents, set misfortunes and even performer's deaths have often been attributed to the belief that some of the witches' lines are real curses, which is what makes the performance of the play so unlucky. These real-world superstitions accompany the fictional plot of the play, which abounds with the supernatural. Witches, ghosts, and visions are a key element in Macbeth; they keep the audience entertained while serving an important function in the overall plot and character development in the play. The supernatural elements in Shakespeare's Macbeth both induce Macbeth's initial quest for power and lead to his tragic downfall. The visions and apparitions he sees and his meetings with the witches further the plot development and serve as Macbeth's motivation for murder and treachery.

The first scene of the play introduces the audience to the three witches on the heath. The stage directions indicate a storm overhead, which lets the audience know of the malevolence of the witches through pathetic fallacy. Soon after, Macbeth and Banquo meet the witches, and hear of the things that will happen to both of them. Hearing these prophecies and realizing that he will become king is the catalyst for Macbeth's initial quest for power. When Macbeth hears that he has become the Thane of Cawdor, he realizes that the witches were speaking the truth, and he truly could become the King. He speaks in an aside:

This supernatural soliciting

Cannot be ill, cannot be good: if ill,

Why hath it given me earnest of success,

Commencing in a truth? I am thane of Cawdor:

If good, why do I yield to that suggestion

Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair

And make my seated heart knock at my ribs,

Against the use of nature? (1.3.130-137)

Macbeth is wary of the witches' prophecy, but realizes that he will eventually be crowned king, since one half of what they predicted has already come true. However, he is in conflict because he knows he will have to commit a crime in order for that to happen. From this, it is possible to see Macbeth's guilt already beginning to arise, even before a crime has been committed. The simple involvement of supernatural elements has begun to instigate evildoing and treachery, even if it has not yet been manifested in Macbeth's actions.

Macbeth, with the help of Lady Macbeth, finally decides

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