Macbeth's Demise Due To Concerns Of The Supernatural

The play "Macbeth" explores the tragic demise of the protagonist Macbeth due to the concerns of the supernatural, guilt and his "vaulting ambition" The world of the play is one of war, death and heroes, it is difficult to distinguish between appearance and reality.

We experience and are witness to the mental and emotional turmoil of Macbeth, a man who is lured into evil and endures the consequences due to his encounters with the supernatural.

The use of the supernatural in the witches, visions, the ghost and the apparitions provide the core for the climax and justification for Macbeth's change of character. Since conscience plays an important role in Macbeth's tragic struggle, it is in my view that supernatural forces are used to put prominence on the tragic downfall of Macbeth.

The play begins with the use of the supernatural when the three witches come across Macbeth on his way home from a battle and proceed to foretell his fate, enlightening Macbeth with a peek of what's to come.

Lady Macbeth by George Cattermole.

English: Poster of Thos. W. Keene in William Shake...

Macbeth and Banquo with the Witches by Henry Fusel...

The witches plan to meet again, "When the battles lost and won..." (1.1.1-4). This is a reoccurring theme all the way through the play. Whenever a battle is lost or won between a man and another man, his conscience or nature, the witches reappear. After the witches reveal the fate of Macbeth becoming king, he begins to develop an immoral plan to carry out the foretelling. The only way for Macbeth to have the throne will be to wait or to make certain King Duncan and his predecessor's deaths. Macbeth already knew of his prospect as king on account of the witches' prophecies, so how he went about getting there did not unease him. Had the three witches not confronted Macbeth with the news of...