Supernatural/wc Flashcards
symbolism
Supernatural: The inclusion of ‘magical’ creatures is contextually significant as the
contemporary audience was interested in, believed in and was fearful of witches. The
monarch at the time of writing in the early 17th Century was James I, who wrote the
book ‘Daemonologie’ which explained how to identify a witch and how to tourture them.
These witches would be seen as a very real and genuine threat to the contemporary
audience, who actually believed that witches lived amongst them and are more than a
fictional fantasy.
context
Appealing to James I
Shakespeare uses the character of the Witches in order to appeal to the current monarch
James I, who had a passion for the history of witchcraft. It is important to understand how Shakespeare portrays the Witches in an appealing fashion. James I’s passion for witches is evident as he was involved in many witch trials (e.g. North Berwick Witch Trials), where he took part in interrogating a witch. He also believed they had tried to kill him on the way to the trials and therefore
the portrayal of the Witches as inherently evil and
agents of Satan appeals to James I. He wrote a
book about witches – ‘Daemonologie’. Through
connecting witches to regicide Shakespeare is clearly demonstrating that witchcraft is infernal and thus Shakespeare is evidencing his allegiance to
the king and gaining his favour through this play.
WITCHES - big ideas
Shakespeare refers to the Witches as the Weird Sisters (depending on the version that you
read), which bears connotations of “wyrd” meaning fate in Old English and therefore
associating their speech with prophecy. The witches could represent the three fates from classical mythology, as the three fates represent the past, present and future. This reflects the three predictions they give to Macbeth, as they claim to “spin the threads of life”. The three Witches have differing roles as one spins, one measures, one cuts. This relates to their roles in the future, present and past, respectively. Shakespeare suggests they are in control of events, as they decide on the fates and destinies of men - or perhaps they lead them to their fate.
the witches symbolize the supernatural and foreshadow the play’s themes of fate, free will, and the corrupting influence of ambition, with their prophecies driving Macbeth’s descent into tyranny
Macbeth
Macbeth | The Witches are dependent on Macbeth to
fulfill their prophecies. It was believed that witches were
unable to directly kill man so instead they had to control
others to create the disorder and chaos they wished to
impart on mankind.
➔ The Witches refer to a story about a sailor. The
rhyming couplet “Though his bark cannot be
lost, / Yet it shall be tempest-tossed,” shows the
audience the limited power they have over man.
They cannot directly destroy his ship, but instead they can cause a storm to occur.
The Witches can’t kill Duncan themselves but instead they
have the power to influence the men around him. It could therefore be argued that Macbeth becomes their puppet
and vehicle for evil. Their prophecies cause Macbeth to realise his own entrenched ambitions and then inspire him to act upon it. It is their suggestion and temptation
that triggers his fall.
➔ Perhaps Macbeth is a greater force of evil than the Witches as he is the one who
physically carries out the act of regicide. Indeed, they recognise “something wicked
this way comes”.
BANQUO
Banquo | Banquo is also affected by the Witches, as he admits to dreaming of the witches: “I
dreamed last night of the three weird sisters”. However, this occurs on the same day that
Banquo met the Witches, prompting the question - had he been thinking of them before they
met? Were Macbeth and Banquo already connected to the supernatural?
This dream shows that they have influenced Banquo too, however he serves as evidence that
the witches can be resisted and they do not have complete control as they give him a prophecy
too, which he ignores. This response from Banquo is necessary for his character as he serves
as the foil to Macbeth and to embrace the Witches would go against the purpose of his
character.
LM
Lady Macbeth | Lady Macbeth can be interpreted as a fourth witch, of perhaps an even greater
evil. It is important to understand why Shakespeare portrays Lady Macbeth as similar to the
Witches. She lapses into rhyming couplets when trying to persuade Macbeth to commit
regicide and evil deeds. This linguistic mimic of the Witches’ form of speech connects her to
their inherent evil. Lady Macbeth uses paradoxical rhyming couplets which bear connotations
of both evil and the Witches, including: “only look up clear; to alter favour ever is to fear”,
“alls spent” “without content”, and “that which we destroy” “doubtful joy”
Lady Macbeth defies gender roles as she is dominant in her relationship with Macbeth, which
was often all the justification needed to convict a woman of witchcraft. She becomes the proxy
of the witches to maintain their evil influence over Macbeth.
