Supernatural in Shakespeare's Plays

                             In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief 
                     in the existence of the supernatural. Thus, the supernatural is a 
                     recurring aspect in many of Mr. 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 augments the impact of many key scenes.
                     The supernatural appears to the audience in many varied forms. In 
                     Hamlet there appears perhaps the most notable of the supernatural 
                     forms, the ghost. However, in Macbeth, not only does a ghost appear 
                     but a floating dagger, witches, and prophetic apparitions make 
                     appearances.  The role of the supernatural is very important in Hamlet 
                     and Macbeth.

                             A ghost, appearing in the form of Hamlets father, makes 
                     several appearances in the play. It first appears to the watchmen, 
                     Marcellus and Bernardo, along with Horatio near the guardsmens' post. 
                     The ghost says nothing to them and is perceived with fear and 
                     apprehension, It harrows me with fear and wonder. It is not until 
                     the appearance of Hamlet that the ghost speaks, and only then after 
                     Horatio has expressed his fears about Hamlet following it, What if it 
                     tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the 
                     cliff. 

                             The conversation between the ghost and Hamlet serves as a 
                     catalyst for Hamlets later actions and provides insight into Hamlets 
                     character. The information the ghost reveals incites Hamlet into 
                     action against a situation he was already uncomfortable with, and now 
                     even more so. Hamlet is not quick to believe the ghost, The spirit 
                     that I have seen may be a devil... and perhaps out of my weakness and 
                     my melancholy..abuses me to damn me, and thus an aspect of Hamlets 
                     character is revealed. Hamlet, having no suspicion of the ghost after 
                     the production by the players, encounters the ghost next in his 
                     mothers room. In this scene the ghost makes an appearance to whet 
                     Hamlets almost blunted purpose. Hamlet is now convinced of the 
                     ghost and he no longer harbors any suspicion. He now listens to it, 
                     Speak to her, Hamlet.

                             In Hamlet, the supernatural is the guiding force behind 
                     Hamlet. The ghost ask Hamlet to seek revenge for the Kings death and 
                     Hamlet is thus propelled to set into action a series of events that 
                     ends in Hamlets death.

                              The supernatural occurs four times during the course of 
                     Macbeth. It occurs in all the appearances of the witches, in the 
                     appearance of Banquos ghost, in the apparitions with their 
                     prophesies, and in the air-drawn dagger that guides Macbeth towards 
                     his victim.

                             Of the supernatural phenomenon evident in Macbeth the witches 
                     are perhaps the most important. The witches represent Macbeths evil 
                     ambitions. They are the catalyst which unleash Macbeths evil 
                     aspirations. Macbeth believes the witches and wishes to know more 
                     about the future so after the banquet he seeks them out at their cave. 
                     He wants to know the answers to his questions regardless of whether 
                     the consequence be violent and destructive to nature. The witches 
                     promise to answer and at Macbeths choice they add further unnatural 
                     ingredients to the cauldron and call up their masters. This is where 
                     the prophetic apparitions appear. The first apparition is Macbeths 
                     own head (later to be cut off by Macduff) confirming his fears of 
                     Macduff. The second apparition tells Macbeth that he can not be harmed 
                     by no one born of woman. This knowledge gives Macbeth a false sense of 
                     security because he believes that he cannot be harmed, yet Macduff was 
                     not of woman born, his mother was dead and a corpse when Macduff was 
                     born. This leads to Macbeths downfall. A child with a crown on his 
                     head, the third apparition,  represents Malcolm, Duncans son. This 
                     apparition also gives Macbeth a false sense of security because of the 
                     Birnam Wood prophesy.  

                             The appearance of Banquos ghost provides insight into 
                     Macbeths character. It shows the level that Macbeths mind has 
                     recessed to. When he sees the ghost he reacts with horror and upsets 
                     the guests. Macbeth wonders why murder had taken place many times in 
                     the past before it was prevented by law -statute purged the gentle 
                     weal- and yet the dead are coming back. 

                             The final form of the supernatural is the air-drawn dagger 
                     which leads Macbeth to his victim. When the dagger appears to him, 
                     Macbeth finally becomes victim to the delusions of his fevered brain. 
                     The dagger points to Duncans room and appears to be covered in blood. 
                     The dagger buttresses the impact  of this key scene in which Macbeth 
                     slays King Duncan.

                             The supernatural is a recurring aspect in many of the plays by 
                     William Shakespeare. In Hamlet and Macbeth the supernatural is an 
                     integral part of the structure of the plot. In these plays the 
                     supernatural provides a catalyst for action by the characters. It 
                     supplies insight into the major players and it augments the impact of 
                     many key scenes. The supernatural appeals to the audiences curiosity 
                     of the mysterious and thus strengthens their interest.