The supernatural in macbeth

1. St Xavier’s College, Mahuadanr
Q. Critically examine the role of “Supernatural” in the play Macbeth?
The Supernatural theme is very significant in Macbeth. The presence of
supernatural forces in Shakespeare’s Macbeth provides for much of the play’s
dramatic tension and for the development of the narrative of Macbeth.
We do not know Shakespeare’s personal opinion of witchcraft. But he
wrote at a time when witches were “channels through which malignity of evil
spirits might be visited upon human beings.” Professor Curry thinks that the
witches are demons or devils. He writes that “whether one considers them as
humans witches in league with the power of darkness or as actual demons in
the form of witches or as merely inanimate symbols, the power which they
represent or symbolize is ultimately demonic.” To him their control over
nature would indicate that they were indeed demons disguised as witches.
Though they do not have any such power they appear to be able to control
nature because Macbeth exalts them to that position. To him they were great
powers of destiny.
The witches prophecise that Macbeth would become Thane of Cawdor
and the king of Scotland. They did not tell him to commit murder or any
other crime for that matter. The crime and murder are the direct outcome of
Macbeth’s overpowering ambition and his misplaced interpretation of the
prophecies.
Shakespeare had introduced three entirely new characters who were
genuine witches. They are bleary eyed, fowl and wrinkled, yet they are
humans. They have the power of vanishing from the sight, of predicting the
future, of creating storms and so on. Thus everything attributed to the

2. witches of Macbeth was in fact believed to be possible to women practicing
witchcraft.
The Supernatural prophesy and soliciting reveals the nature of the
hero’s capricious (impulsive) environment. Its partial fulfillment is a mere
coincidence. But Macbeth, encouraged by it, considers “chance” as the basic
law of existence. In contrast Banquo remains unimpressed. For him there is
no easy way to success. The two, in fact symbolize the two opposites in
human existence. Macbeth is the personification of underserved ambition,
believing that fate would bring to him by chance what is not his. Banquo is
the personification of fair play and success through hard work. It is through
this that Banquo warns Macbeth against the viciousness (cruelty) of the
witches. Macbeth so absorbed in his own ambition refuses to listen to the
words of caution.
The deception in the devilish Supernatural counsels is symbolic of
Macbeth’s betrayal of self. The irony of work has twofold effects. It heightens
the dramatic suspense as well as lays bare the chaotic world of treachery
(deceit) and wickedness.
On the physical plane the witches are real beings and not merely a
figment (illusion) of Macbeth imagination. Otherwise Banquo would not have
seen them. On a metaphysical plane they represent Macbeth’s guilt and evil.
The witches have a close affinity to Macbeth’s consciousness. They also
symbolize the general evil that prevails in the world. We are either able to
overcome this evil and remain good human beings or succumb (give in) to
their temptations and become bad as does Macbeth. The transition from the
good to bad is in our own deeds.

3. The witches strike the keynote of the play in the very beginning itself
when they say “fair is foul and foul is fair.” Macbeth becomes a victim and a
ruthless follower of this terrible motto. If Macbeth had not been tempted by
them the terror and the reversal of moral values could have come to
nothingness. The witches can influence the powerful minds and make them
their victims as Macbeth. Yet they can influence only those minds which
succumb to evil and exaggerated temptation. To a moral person their power
is of no consequence.
Apart from the Supernatural elements Shakespeare introduces the
Ghost of Banquo which was seen only by Macbeth. This ghost is a mere
apparition and has no earth-like qualities in it. It is a symbol of justice and
punishment. It is symbolic of Macbeth's guilt as well and it is instrumental in
bringing this guilt to the surface.
Shakespeare has bountifully illustrated the superstitious innocence
which guided their contemporaries’ contact, molded many of their social
customs and governed their interpretation of natural phenomena. It was this
general taste that made Shakespeare introduces the Supernatural elements
in Macbeth. His wisdom was too profound to indulge in any personal
superstition. It is a credit to his genius that he created such a magnificent
play out of such an incongruous (absurd) element.