The Supernatural Essence of a Play

The Supernatural Essence of a Play

  • Submitted By: peachfuzzzz
  • Date Submitted: 02/12/2009 5:38 AM
  • Category: English
  • Words: 909
  • Page: 4
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The Supernatural Essence of a Play
William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” depicts the general idea of how things are not always as they seem to be. Throughout the tragedy of “Macbeth”, Shakespeare allows the reader to judge for themselves whether the actions taken by certain characters are truly honorable, or a form of a selfish act. One must go beyond the assumption of good and evil to truly get inside the minds of a criminal and their master plans.
“Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair.”(I.1.10) These were the words spoken by the three witches in Act 1, scene 1 of Macbeth. As these words are read, they may give the reader prior knowledge to what is going to happen in the story. There will be some foul play in the story of “Macbeth” in order to make a fair rule over the kingdom. This quote implies that a fair intention may not be as innocent as one thinks, and that what may seem to be foul play could just as easily be as simple as a good deed.
This phrase aptly describes the macabre status quo within the character Macbeth and without. When Macbeth and Banquo first see the weird sisters, Banquo becomes horrified by their hideous appearances. Putting that aside, Macbeth immediately began to converse with these evil, universally known creatures. After hearing their prophecies, one can say that Macbeth considered the witches fair, when in reality their intentions were quit foul. Macbeth’s possession of the witch’s predictions on his future titles of Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and King of Scotland came by foul means. Macbeth became
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the Thane of Glamis by the death of his father, Sine. THis second title, Thane of Cawder, was given after the former namesake was executed for treason. At last, Macbeth ordained King of Scotland after murdering the vulnerable King Duncan. Overall, Macbeth has a rather ghastly way of advancing in life and getting what he wants.
This theme is further verified by King Duncan’s statement, “There’s no art/ to find the minds...

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