Supernatural in Shakespeares Macbeth - The Witches Role :: Macbeth essays

        In Shakespeares time, publicy people were superstitious they believedthat that their lives were strongly influenced, if not dictated by fate.  Theyalso thought that the world was full of supernatural creatures, such as witches,ghosts, and many other such beings.  Shakespeare incorporated these aspects ofbelief in his knead Mac Beth.  The witches, although accurately predicting whatwould occur, i.e., Mac Beth would be king, they did not specify how theirprophecies would be realized.        The witches did possess some sort of power (unless they were privy tosome governmental information which MacBeth was not aware of), otherwise, how couldthey have k right offn that MacBeth had been appointed Thane of Cawdor?  Of course, erstwhile MacBeth, who, living in such a society, was superstitious, is presentedwith Cawdors title, he believes that the other prediction, viz. his kingship,must come true.  Banqu o notes the danger inherent in believing (and later onacting on) the witches predictions he says, Were such things here as we do lecture about?/Or have we eaten on the insane root/That takes the primingprisoner?  Act I, scene 3, ll.83-85.         MacBeth is quite overwhelmed when he hears that he is now the Thane ofCawdor.  However, almost immediately, he starts thinking about how to bringabout his dominate as king.         Aside Two truenesss are told,        As happy prologues to the inflation act        Of the imperial theme.I thank you, gentlemen.        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 the thane of C awdor.        If good, why do I yield to that pinch        Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair        And make my seated heart box at my ribs,        Against the use of nature?  Present fears        Are less than monstrous imaginings        My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,        Shakes so my single state of man that function        Is smothered in surmise and nothing is        But what is not.  (1.3.127-141)         MacBeth seems to be fantasizing about having a direct role in Duncansdownfall.  He plain believes that the only way to make the witchespredictions come about, is to act on his urges (although he attained the titleof Cawdor without any extraneous effort).          A wife has a large influence on her husbands thinking.  Lady MacBethtries to persuade MacBeth to murder Duncan.  throughout Act I, scene 5, thereare many wordses in which she tries to urge him.  However, the monologuemost relevant to my theme is Lady MacBeths first speech