Write a short composition on use of supernatural elements in Shakespeare's play ''Macbeth".

William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is a tragedy that explores the consequences of ambition and the corrupting influence of power. Throughout the play, Shakespeare employs supernatural elements to heighten the dramatic tension and create an atmosphere of foreboding. These elements include witches, ghosts, and apparitions, which play a significant role in the development of the plot and the characters.

 

The three witches are the most prominent supernatural characters in "Macbeth." They appear at the beginning of the play and prophesy that Macbeth will become king. Their presence is eerie and unsettling, and they speak in riddles and rhymes. They represent the darkness and chaos that Macbeth's ambition will unleash upon Scotland. The witches also serve as a warning to the audience that evil forces are at work in the play.

 

In addition to the witches, Shakespeare employs ghosts as a supernatural element. The ghost of Banquo, Macbeth's former friend and fellow soldier, appears to him at a feast, causing Macbeth to lose his composure and reveal his guilt. Banquo's ghost represents the consequences of Macbeth's actions and the guilt that he feels for having murdered his friend. The ghost also serves as a reminder that Macbeth cannot escape his past and that his actions have far-reaching consequences.

 

Shakespeare also uses apparitions to further the plot of the play. The first apparition is a floating head, which warns Macbeth to beware of Macduff. The second is a bloody child, which prophesies that Macbeth cannot be defeated by any man born of a woman. The third is a crowned child, who tells Macbeth that he will not be defeated until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinane. These apparitions create a sense of inevitability, as they suggest that Macbeth's fate is sealed and that he cannot escape the consequences of his actions.

 

The supernatural elements in "Macbeth" serve several purposes. First, they create an atmosphere of dread and foreboding, which adds to the play's tension and suspense. Second, they provide a symbolic representation of the play's themes, such as ambition, guilt, and fate. Third, they serve as a warning to the audience that evil forces are at work in the play and that the characters are in danger. Finally, they provide a means of advancing the plot and revealing the characters' inner thoughts and motivations.

 

In conclusion, Shakespeare's use of supernatural elements in "Macbeth" is an effective way of heightening the play's drama and exploring its themes. The witches, ghosts, and apparitions all serve important functions in the play, from creating an atmosphere of dread to providing symbolic representations of the play's themes. Through these elements, Shakespeare presents a world in which the forces of good and evil are in constant conflict, and the consequences of ambition and power are severe.