Macbeth supernatural
Plan for the Witches
1. Thesis - King James - Fate - Free will (Patriarchy) Cautionary tale
- Flattery daemonologie , fascination , patronage
- How much of lives controlled by fate ( predestination) and how much we r responsible for
- Criticism on the evil deeds which witches forced into bc of ugly appearance “beards” so bc if
they were given outlets to power they may not have been coerced into evil
2. 'in thunder, lightning or in rain'... 'there to meet will with Macbeth.
- Sets up idea of power over weather - tyrannical supernatural force which benefits or harms
everything. All encompassing . Contrasted with the idea of greek tragedy and fate where gift
of foresight was initiated and that if it is just foresight which the witches possess they do not
pose such a threat( reinforced with trochaic tetrameter and no real force or coercion onto
any character)
- Macbeth inherent evil
- They predict where to macbeth will be – foresight
- Pathetic fallacy in the weather to emphasise chaos and unsettling mood they bring
- Context: king james attack on sea — reinforces ideas of patronage esp bc its at the
beginning and the direct correlation.
- Purpose is obv fate and free will , patronage and flattery but could be patriarchy bc the
witches decide to pick a marshal warrior macbeth , who would have been seen as one of the
most powerful men in society, so naturally as they gain closeness to him they can gain
power themselves. Linked to patriarchy bc women r denied of power and criticism bc they
have to seek such bloodthirsty men as we see later.
3. Just prophecies - 'Cawdor', 'king hereafter'
- Just see into future reinforces not making macbeth do anything
- All responsibility is his own( not a tale told by an idiot)
- This is especially important to shakespeares worldview that we r responsible for our actions
and so the nobles at court will be responsible and accountable for their actions deterring
them from regicide
- Also relevant to james worldview of which contrasts idea of responsibility and that it is satan
and witchcraft which cast people into evil
- Shakespeare is perhaps both: cautioning and a patroning.
- Also patriarchy criticism bc even though women turn to evil and sinister means they still only
possess such little power which is not even that effective. Although can be contrasted with
banquo as he wants to know more of the supernatural , despite being morally secure. Shows
their power is influential on everyone.
4. 'Why do I yield to that suggestion,... horrid image... unfix my hair
- Questioning that there is something morally wrong with him. Cant be witches bc they havent
said that duncan will be murdered let alone himself but its his desire and inner feelings which
spur him into regicide. Could be the marshall society which macbeth gains power in as the
, “valiant” and “worthy cousin” and so it is society which gives power but the consequences
can be detrimental. He kind of is so desensitised to killing “unseamed” him , that his first
instinct is bloodshed.
- Shakespeare arguing marshall society has conditioned him into killing and so his hamartia (
“bloodlust”) eventually leads to his downfall. We see this through the numerous murders
which eventually lead to him being “taught in bloody instruction”.
- Purpose: convey to king james not to be so “bloody” in his acts like pursuing catholics or he
will face the same consequences as macbeth. Also lesson to nobles in order not to commit
regicide and follow their inner desires. Also shows how the supernatural are a catalyst for
breaking Gods permanence in the world.
-
5. 'If chance may have me king, why chance may crown me, without my stir'
- Macbeth realises fate will land him as king, doesnt need to do anything, so he is indeed
responsible at the end of the day
- Essentialism ( modern reading)
- Word play and humour in “chance: randomness and lucky. Repeating “chance” means that
macbeth is emphasising to himself that the longer he waits the more uncertain and unlikely
it will be to become king as more “chance” is involved.
- The words on one hand show certainty of fate but the choice of words are a form of
persuasion that it is not certain . Words and mind are working against him despite him not
realising
- Also links to equivocation of the witches in “fair is foul and foul is fair” through his conflicted
speech. Suggests the supernatural have a looming and ominous presence deeprooted in
macbeth, although they dont as they dont force him into anything
- Purpose: not to indulge into the supernatural as the effects will be long lasting and
disastrous so flatters king james with his desire to kill witches. Witch hunts in scotland.
6. 'To win us to our harms, the instruments of darkness tell us truths"
- Banquo has moral certainty here because king james is from banquos lineage, so his moral
certainty is also echoed. Reinforces his kingship bc nobles are less likely to rebel seeing a
good king despite being a scot.
- Game-like imagery in “win” and “instruments”. Instruments often played so suggest a game.
Perhaps conveys witches are controlling strings from above, at their leisure and enjoyment
whilst others suffer thus making them the “win[ners]”
- Warning of banquo to macbeth.
- Antithesis to macbeth morally good . Reaction is crucial as it is didactic in telling us how to
react to supernatural: take a step back and assess instead of pursuing ambition. View of
audience ( contemporary) due to fear and suspicion of witchcraft.
- Instruments of darkness: 1) completely evil and dark so express all encompassing evil or 2)
being controlled like satan
7. Perhaps motive 'you should be women, and yet your beads' Patriarchal
- Have beards so not attractive in society which demands appearance and money in order to
gain power as a woman
Plan for the Witches
1. Thesis - King James - Fate - Free will (Patriarchy) Cautionary tale
- Flattery daemonologie , fascination , patronage
- How much of lives controlled by fate ( predestination) and how much we r responsible for
- Criticism on the evil deeds which witches forced into bc of ugly appearance “beards” so bc if
they were given outlets to power they may not have been coerced into evil
2. 'in thunder, lightning or in rain'... 'there to meet will with Macbeth.
- Sets up idea of power over weather - tyrannical supernatural force which benefits or harms
everything. All encompassing . Contrasted with the idea of greek tragedy and fate where gift
of foresight was initiated and that if it is just foresight which the witches possess they do not
pose such a threat( reinforced with trochaic tetrameter and no real force or coercion onto
any character)
- Macbeth inherent evil
- They predict where to macbeth will be – foresight
- Pathetic fallacy in the weather to emphasise chaos and unsettling mood they bring
- Context: king james attack on sea — reinforces ideas of patronage esp bc its at the
beginning and the direct correlation.
- Purpose is obv fate and free will , patronage and flattery but could be patriarchy bc the
witches decide to pick a marshal warrior macbeth , who would have been seen as one of the
most powerful men in society, so naturally as they gain closeness to him they can gain
power themselves. Linked to patriarchy bc women r denied of power and criticism bc they
have to seek such bloodthirsty men as we see later.
3. Just prophecies - 'Cawdor', 'king hereafter'
- Just see into future reinforces not making macbeth do anything
- All responsibility is his own( not a tale told by an idiot)
- This is especially important to shakespeares worldview that we r responsible for our actions
and so the nobles at court will be responsible and accountable for their actions deterring
them from regicide
- Also relevant to james worldview of which contrasts idea of responsibility and that it is satan
and witchcraft which cast people into evil
- Shakespeare is perhaps both: cautioning and a patroning.
- Also patriarchy criticism bc even though women turn to evil and sinister means they still only
possess such little power which is not even that effective. Although can be contrasted with
banquo as he wants to know more of the supernatural , despite being morally secure. Shows
their power is influential on everyone.
4. 'Why do I yield to that suggestion,... horrid image... unfix my hair
- Questioning that there is something morally wrong with him. Cant be witches bc they havent
said that duncan will be murdered let alone himself but its his desire and inner feelings which
spur him into regicide. Could be the marshall society which macbeth gains power in as the
, “valiant” and “worthy cousin” and so it is society which gives power but the consequences
can be detrimental. He kind of is so desensitised to killing “unseamed” him , that his first
instinct is bloodshed.
- Shakespeare arguing marshall society has conditioned him into killing and so his hamartia (
“bloodlust”) eventually leads to his downfall. We see this through the numerous murders
which eventually lead to him being “taught in bloody instruction”.
- Purpose: convey to king james not to be so “bloody” in his acts like pursuing catholics or he
will face the same consequences as macbeth. Also lesson to nobles in order not to commit
regicide and follow their inner desires. Also shows how the supernatural are a catalyst for
breaking Gods permanence in the world.
-
5. 'If chance may have me king, why chance may crown me, without my stir'
- Macbeth realises fate will land him as king, doesnt need to do anything, so he is indeed
responsible at the end of the day
- Essentialism ( modern reading)
- Word play and humour in “chance: randomness and lucky. Repeating “chance” means that
macbeth is emphasising to himself that the longer he waits the more uncertain and unlikely
it will be to become king as more “chance” is involved.
- The words on one hand show certainty of fate but the choice of words are a form of
persuasion that it is not certain . Words and mind are working against him despite him not
realising
- Also links to equivocation of the witches in “fair is foul and foul is fair” through his conflicted
speech. Suggests the supernatural have a looming and ominous presence deeprooted in
macbeth, although they dont as they dont force him into anything
- Purpose: not to indulge into the supernatural as the effects will be long lasting and
disastrous so flatters king james with his desire to kill witches. Witch hunts in scotland.
6. 'To win us to our harms, the instruments of darkness tell us truths"
- Banquo has moral certainty here because king james is from banquos lineage, so his moral
certainty is also echoed. Reinforces his kingship bc nobles are less likely to rebel seeing a
good king despite being a scot.
- Game-like imagery in “win” and “instruments”. Instruments often played so suggest a game.
Perhaps conveys witches are controlling strings from above, at their leisure and enjoyment
whilst others suffer thus making them the “win[ners]”
- Warning of banquo to macbeth.
- Antithesis to macbeth morally good . Reaction is crucial as it is didactic in telling us how to
react to supernatural: take a step back and assess instead of pursuing ambition. View of
audience ( contemporary) due to fear and suspicion of witchcraft.
- Instruments of darkness: 1) completely evil and dark so express all encompassing evil or 2)
being controlled like satan
7. Perhaps motive 'you should be women, and yet your beads' Patriarchal
- Have beards so not attractive in society which demands appearance and money in order to
gain power as a woman
