Macbeth: The Theme of Supernatural
Themes and ideas form the foundation of most exam questions - even when a question seems character-based, there will almost always be a theme attached to it.
Take a look at a full breakdown of themes in ‘Macbeth’ on the link below:
Below, you’ll find some thoughts and comments on key themes and ideas in the play. These are intended as a starting point - you should also read essays on the topic, do your own research and develop your own more personal and detailed beliefs about each theme before attempting to write essays! Every essay or exam answer that you write should include your own personal thoughts and feelings on the question, so the notes and questions below are designed to help you develop a personal response to each theme. Once you feel comfortable with the key ideas and debates on a theme you should compile a list of quotations that relate to it, then practise analysing those too.
The Theme of Supernatural
• The supernatural is not just connected to the Witches and their magic, the play also contains other supernatural elements: hallucinations in the form of visions and sounds, ghosts, physical darkness which becomes symbolic of psychological darkness.
• How do the beliefs of Jacobean people help you to understand why Shakespeare used supernatural elements in his plays?
• Research King James I’s ‘Daemonologie’. What does it suggest about Jacobean attitudes to witches and magic?
• The witches use equivocal language, that cannot be easily interpreted. Analyse their line: “Fair is foul and foul is fair”. What different interpretations can you find in the meanings of ‘fair’ and ‘foul’?
- The three witches give predictions in threes; three was considered a magic number in Shakespeare’s day, and many associated it with bad luck. The play also has three kings, three apparitions and three murderers - often the witches also repeat words or phrases in threes. Some critics believe that ‘three’ signifies an Unholy Trinity in the play, an inversion of the Christian Trinity of the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ) and the Holy Spirit.
• Macbeth’s first visual hallucination: “Is this a dagger I see before me?” 2.1. Analyse the dagger scene in 2.1, with particular reference to the imagery used when describing the dagger. Do you think this is a “dagger of the mind” (all in Macbeth’s head) or is it a “fatal vision” sent by the Witches? Would it make any difference?
• Macbeth’s auditory hallucination: “Methought I heard a voice cry “Sleep no more” 2.2. From this point onwards, he is unable to sleep peacefully. What is the connection between visions, dreams and nightmares? How does Shakespeare connect sleep to the supernatural?
• Lady Macbeth starts sleepwalking in 5.1 and confessing all her sins. She sees blood on her hands, exclaiming “Out damn spot!”. What is the connection between guilt and hallucinations?
• “{ENTER THE GHOST OF BANQUO, AND SITS IN MACBETH’S PLACE}”3.4 This stage direction is very important: Banquo’s ghost enters the dining room where Macbeth is holding a banquet to celebrate his kingship; nobody but Macbeth can see Banquo. Macbeth goes into a frenzy which Lady Macbeth blames on a “momentary” fit. How does Banquo’s ghost create dramatic irony?
• Why is Banquo’s ghost sitting in Macbeth’s seat? What does it symbolically suggest?
• The Witches are described as “instruments of darkness”. What does this suggest about the relationship between evil and the supernatural in the play?
• How do the motifs of light and darkness that run throughout the play represent the forces of good and evil?
Thanks for reading!
If you’re studying Macbeth, you’ve come to the right place! This in-depth course goes through everything you need to know to get absolutely top marks on Macbeth exams, essays and coursework.
Breakdown of Acts + Scenes
Setting, Characters + Key Quotes
Context, Themes + Critics
Essay Questions, Example Answers + More!
Levels covered: KS3, GCSE, iGCSE, A Level, University.
