Essay about The Role of the Supernatural in Motivating...

In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the supernatural and the role they play in motivating characters is apparent throughout the duration of the play. The supernatural is what causes conflict in the play and the prophecies from the witches in act one scene three is the inciting action in the piece. The supernatural causes the future conflict by motivating Macbeth to kill Duncan so he could become king of Scotland. Through temptation, the supernatural motivates characters to think arrogantly and for their own benefit. The supernatural in Macbeth presents prophecies which tempt Macbeth and Banquo with the idea of power. This leads Macbeth to contradict his loyal and courageous personality by planning a treacherous murder on Duncan with the†¦show more content†¦3. 157-159) Macbeth’s arrogance is made apparent with the immediacy of his thoughts of becoming king and it is clear that the supernatural has given him arrogant ambition as Macbeth is already beginning to thi nk of how he will be crowned king. Macbeth eventually decides he will show his â€Å"Black and deep desires† (1. 4. 58) and murder Duncan, the current king of Scotland. This is a shift from Macbeth showing loyalty to Scotland and the king as he now has arrogantly, for the benefit of himself becoming king, murdered Duncan, the king of Scotland. Duncan was greatly admired and respected by the population of Scotland. Macbeth himself describes Duncan as â€Å"meek† (1. 7. 17) and being â€Å"so clear in his great office† (1. 7. 18). When Macduff first realizes the death of Duncan, he describes the scene as: â€Å"O horror, horror, horror!† (2. 3. 73) Macbeth acknowledges that the reaction to Duncan’s death would be mournful before murdering him: â€Å"Pity†¦ / Shall blow the horrid deed in every eye, / That tears shall drown the wind† (1.7. 21-25). However, Macbeth’s only goal is to become king, not to please the population of Scotla nd who admires their king greatly and sees him as a righteous person. After tempting Macbeth with the idea of becoming king, the supernatural gives Macbeth arrogant ambition, forcing him to contrast his loyal and courageous personality, which motivates him to kill Duncan. Macbeth is tempted to murder several characters as aShow MoreRelatedThe Flaws Of Human Nature1717 Words   |  7 Pagesof the biggest is the gullibility, especially in the presence of the supernatural. It is often easy to think that the thoughts or actions of an individual are of their own doing. 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