Suernatural Flashcards
(7 cards)
“So foul and fair a day I have not seen” Macbeth
Emulating the witches paradoxes: In Macbeth’s first line within the play, he echoes the paradoxical expression “fair is foul and foul is fair”. Foreshadows that he will become a vessel for their twisted misconduct.
Alternatively, Macbeths emulation of the witches paradoxical and oxymoronic phrases suggests a predestined susceptibility to deception. While his ambition is his hamartia it is the supernatural forces that exert influence over him.
Visual imagery of blindness: “have not seen” foreshadows how Macbeth will be metaphorically blinded by the irresistible allure of the supernatural prophecies. And foreshadows how his unchecked hubris leads him astray.
“Come you, spirits…unsex me here” Act1 Lady Macbeth
Imperative “come you”: using imperative phrases like “come you” she demonstrates a commanding familiarity with the ominous supernatural realm. Un hesitant and determined she calls upon dark external forces perhaps seeking liberation from societal constraints imposed by her femininity.
Her androgynous nature would’ve seen to be supernatural in the Jacobean era as the gender rules were rigid and any break in this would show she is possessed by a supernatural force
Syntax: the syntax of “spirits” preceding “unsex” underscores her conviction that supernatural intervention is imperative for her desire to be successfully “unsexed.” The deliberate arrangement of these terms in her speech illuminates the dependence she places on the supernatural, revealing how this is a necessity for transcending societal norms.
Her recognition on her dependence on the supernatural reolm reflects a social awareness that liberation from the sooiotal constraints imposed on her femininity necessitates on engagement with forces beyond the natural order.
“Look like th’innocent flower, but be the serpent under’t”. Lady Macbeth
“Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” Act 1 Macbeth
-suggests he has been awarded a title that doesn’t belong to him.
- shows that he moves through hierarchical ranking, it is superficial and transient, much like clothes.
- significant he has been awarded this by the supernatural
“Tell me” and “call em” addressed to witches act 4
- he speaks with imperative phrases, he is driven by greed and hunger for power
- he intentionally approaches the witches highlighting how he has embraced his new tyrannical demeanour
Threatens witches with an “eternal curse” act 4
-ironic as we have seen their overt supernatural power, he believes he can supersede this.
- He embodies one of the deadly sins pride (ego) which is prevalent as the witches ambiguous apparitions provide him with a false sense of security and invincibility.
“Dash’d the brains out” and the witches use “fingers of a birth strangled babe” act 1
-they are amoral and feel an absence of guilt in the destruction of innocent life.
- Bothe Lady Macbeth and the witches disregard of fragile human life can be seen in their interactions with Macbeth.
