The Supernatural in Hamlet and Macbeth Essays - 1047 Words

The Supernatural in Hamlet and Macbeth In both Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural plays a very important role. Supernatural elements are crucial to the plot and they also have a more thematic part as well. Shakespeare presents the ghost in Hamlet, and the witches and ghost in Macbeth, as disrupting elements that not only enhance drama, but also tear apart the existing order of things. They force the title character of each play to undergo their own internal struggle that grows from their insecurity of living up to the image of a man. First, let us consider Hamlet. The presence of the supernatural takes center stage at the beginning with a dramatic appearance of the ghost of Hamlets father. Although the†¦show more content†¦Here the prince is outwardly taking about his internal struggle. His fathers murder is forcing Hamlet to take action and become a man. They play then becomes less of a simple revenge tale and more a story about a young man haunted by the image of his own father. In the same scene, Hamlet later says, I had my fathers signet in my purse,/Which was the model of that Danish seal(V.ii.49-50). Here Hamlet is describing his father as being the true image of a man fit to be king. Hamlets own insecurities and the presence of the ghost prove to be his eventual downfall, and Denmarks as well. In this play Shakespeare made the metaphor of a son haunted by his fathers image into a very real haunting indeed. In Macbeth, the supernatural plays a similar and tragic role. Like Hamlet, Macbeth is a man haunted by his own insecurities. Here, this insecurity is made physical not only by yet another ghost, but by three witches who lure Macbeth with promises of prophecies about his future. Like in Hamlet, the ghost appears here as well. Although plot reasons for these appearances are different, the outcome is thematically the same. At a dinner, the kings ghost appears to Macbeth. Macbeth is the only one to see it, and when the ghost disappears, he responds Hence, horrible shadow!/Unreal mockry hence!Why,so; being gone, I am a man again. Pray you sit still (III.v.105-108). Its obvious hereShow MoreRelated Comparing the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Hamlet and Macbeth 921 Words   |  4 PagesComparing the Supernatural in William Shakespeares Hamlet and Macbeth  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚   In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Therefore, the supernatural is a recurring theme in many of Shakespeares plays. In two such plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural is an integral part of the structure of the plot. It provides a catalyst for action, an insight into character, and an augmentation of the impact of many key scenes. TheRead MoreSupernatural in Hamlet754 Words   |  4 Pagesexistence of the supernatural. Thus, the supernatural is a recurring aspect in many of Shakespeares plays. 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