The significance of the supernatural encounter in

Hamlet and MacBeth

The supernatural was a popular element in many of the plays written in Shakespeare’s
time, including Hamlet and Macbeth, and is well know that the supernatural has a huge influence
on the action of the play.

The supernaturals, is integral part of the plays of Shakespare. In addition, the supernatural
is, in fact, a integral part of the structure of the plot of Hamlet.Supernaturals elements provided a
catalyst for action and supplied major insights to the characters. It appears in Hamlet in the form
of a ghost. Shakespare uses the ghost of Hamlet’s father as the guilding force of the play to
create suspense, develop the prevalent theme of revenge and causes Hamlet’s internal conflicts’’
I am thy father's spirit,/ Doom'd for a certain term to walk the night/ And for the day confined to
fast in fires.’’ (Act I Scene 5. 14-28). The ghost let herself be seen by others but only speaks
when meet Hamlet.

The initial appearence of the ghost express fear as well as amazement in the characters. It
would have signified that something was wrong ’’...it harrows me with fear and wonder.’’ (Ham.
1.1.43). The conversation between the ghost and Hamlet caused him much confusion. Everything
serves as a catalyst for Hamlet’s actions and provides us with insights into Hamlet’s character.
The informations the ghost gave to Hamlet reveals, insights Hamlet into action against a
situation he is already uncomfortable with.

It must be noted, that at first, Hamlet is not so quick to belive the ghost about being his
father and althought because is talking about the idea of revange. For Hamlet, the ghost only
seems like an evil spirit because also the ghost it represents the symbol of instability in Denmark.
It wears armour as if prepared for war, wich foreshadows the oncoming threat of.

Even if Hamlet constantly contemplates if the ghost is good or evil, appears to be good
because it constantly reminds Hamlet that it did not get to repent its sins and it is also gentle to
its widow.
 The ghost is the guilding force behind Hamlet, because is also asking Hamlet to seek
revenge for King Hamlet’s death, caused somehow by Claudius, and propels him into a series of
events that end in his death. But the rising of King Hamlet’s ghost from dead is already an act of
revenge. The ghost only represents a lack of confusions. Hamlet regards the ghost as
questionable, because is not sure if he might listen to a spirit who came from nowhere. But if the
ghost perfectly justifies as his father, he must listen to it and that’s how all of Hamlet’s problems
begins ’’ If I weren’t forbidden to tell you the secrets of purgatory, I could tell you stories that
would slice through your soul, freeze your blood.’’ (Act I, Scene 5).

In Shakspeare’s time,many poeple were supertitious, they believed that their lives were
strongly influenced, if not dictated by fate. They also thought that the world was full of
supernatural creatures,such as witches, ghost, and many other such things. Shakespeare
incorporated these aspects of beliefs in his play, MacBeth.

The play MacBeth involves many supernatural actions that act as a catalyst for suspense
and thrill, insight into character, foreshadowing of future events as well as making connections
with the theme.

In the opening of the play, the entrance of the three witches depicts the first presence of
supernatural in MacBeth. The presence of the supernatural forces of the witches was
accompanied by the dark, gloomy and thunderous ambience, perhaps functioning as a
foreshadowing of future events that involves evil, wickedness and darkness.

It seems like these three witches, which represents the supernatural in this play, predict
somehow the fact that MacBeth would be the king, and they did not specify how their prophecies
would be realized and is clear that they did posses some sort of power, otherwise, how could
they have known that MacBeth had been appointed Thane of Cowder? ’’Were such things here
as we do speak about?/Or have we eaten on the insane root/That takes the reason prisonier?’’
(Act I, scene 3, II. 83-85).
 Because of the witches’ prediction, MacBeth start to make plans and seems to be
fantasizing about having a direct role in Duncan’s downfall. He believes that the only way to
make the witches’ predictions come about, is to act on his urges.

Because in the play are witches and the darkness and evilness is all around, the play
couldn’t go well till the end. For example, we see that later on in the play, MacBeth turned evil
and wicked, killing the old and honorable King Duncan and a loyal friend, Banquo. The
significance of darkness as it was used by MacBeth when he calls upon the ‚’’seeling Night (Act
III.Scene II. Line 16) which makes clear vision impossible’’, as a way to cover up his evil deeds.
Foreshadowing of ’evilness’, which is also a theme in the play is also created when the witches,
before leaving the first scene, cried in unison that ’’Fair is foul and foul is fair’’ (Act II, Scene II,
Line 11).

Supernatural is one element in Macbeth that was used cleverly by Shakespeare to get
various messages across to the audience. The messages are brought across between the lines of
the plays which requires audiences to reflect critically to get the underlying meaning of his play.
Shakespeare did not merely show ghosts and witches in the supernatural as a thriller, but also
tied in the political and religious aspects of the society during his time.

In conclusion, the supernatural exposed in Shakespeare’s works only amplify the action
itself and bring a dash of suspense and excitement all at once. Supernatural characters are only
convey the true character of those with whom they are in coflict or contact, more or less.

Oprea Diana-Elena

Anul I, Grupa 4
Bibliography

1. W.Shakespeare, MacBeth, Editura Pandora, Bucureşti, 2009

2. W.Shakespeare, Hamlet, Editura Pandora, Bucureşti, 2009.
3. http://www.123helpme.com/search.asp?text=Macbeth+Supernatural
4. http://www.grin.com/en/e-book/269650/shakespeare-s-use-of-the-supernatural-in-
hamlet-and-macbeth
5. http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/the-supernatural-quotes.html