The Supernatural Element Of Witchcraft - 1184 Words

Temptation is more than the mere the promise of glory, it is an intense allurement that is can be physically uncontrollable despite our awareness of our actions’ consequences. The nature of temptation in Macbeth raises numerous questions regarding the human condition as Shakespeare introduces the supernatural element of witchcraft by using the Wyrd Sisters to entice Macbeth and propel the plot of the play. Many have debated the degree of responsibility that the witches should shoulder regarding Macbeth’s fall as a protagonist. English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge once said that the witches in Macbeth â€Å"only have the power of tempting those who have been the tempters of themselves†. By examining the tragically heroic figure of Macbeth, in relation to characters such as Banquo and Lady Macbeth, it becomes clear that while the witches serve as harbingers of fate, they simply bring the desires already existing within Macbeth to the surface, and therefore, should not be held responsible for Macbeth’s demise as he himself gave the witches permission to manipulate him by interpreting their words in an ill manner. In Macbeth, the witches act as a symbol of the dark side of human nature and the outside forces which have the capability to influence man’s decisions. Shakespeare depicts the witches as hideous, otherworldly, androgynous beings who are â€Å"so wither’d and so wild in their attire, That look not like the inhabitants o’ the earth† (I.iii.41-42). They appear to have no regardShow MoreRelatedSummary : Bless Me, Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya Essay1697 Words   |  7 PagesSupernatural The practice of witchcraft throughout history has had an everlasting impact on how witches are portrayed in our modernistic era. In the novel, Bless Me, Ultima, Rudolfo Anaya depicts the development of Ultima, an old curandera, to symbolize a recurrent theme of how being different is looked down upon. Although being accused of witchcraft has had a negative connotation all throughout history, there is a fine line between using witchcraft for good rather than evil. 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The Scarlet Letter is filled with gothic elements fromRead MoreResponse to Sexuality, Witchcraft and Violence in Macbeth by Dennis Biggins1613 Words   |  7 PagesEH 304 Late Shakespeare 10/10/2011 â€Å"Sexuality, Witchcraft, and Violence in Macbeth, by Dennis Biggins Summary: In this article, Biggins focuses on several themes, both obvious and discreet, within the plot of Macbeth. Biggins disputes other critics opinions that sexuality has little thematic importance in Macbeth, stating that the play is immersed in sexuality through both violent and mystical indications. Other critics refer to the play as the purest of Shakespeare s tragedies,Read MoreEssay on James I influence in Shakespeares Writing1519 Words   |  7 Pagesunlocked opportunities to the imagination and the idea of supernatural started to bloom. Although, the supernatural is sometime mistaken with the gods of certain religions, believing in ghosts and witches was independent from the people chosen religion. 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There have been manyRead MoreShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth Essay1249 Words   |  5 PagesShakespeares Use of the Supernatural in Macbeth When Shakespeare wrote Macbeth in the early 1600s the King of England was James I. James was king of Scotland too. He ruled in Scotland before coming king in England in 1603 as well. James was supposed to have descended from the real Banquo. Some people often think that Shakespeare wanted to flatter James I by writing this play by showing James that he was nothing like Macbeth. In Shakespeares play Macbeth it has beenRead MoreGothic Cinema And The Movie The Conjuring 1611 Words   |  7 Pagesgothic literature. For example, the element of the supernatural is the main part of this movie. By making the center of this movie about supernatural occurrences, it goes hand in hand with textual gothic. In textual gothic, there is almost always some type of supernatural element, even if it is as small as in The Castle of Otranto. However, instead of having a small supernatural element, The Conjuring provides the audience with extremely terrifying and real supernatural components. For example, one terrifyingRead MoreSalem Witch Trials : Witchcraft Essay1107 Words   |  5 PagesSalem Witch Trials Witchcraft has been around since the B.C. era, but erupted in the late 1600s. It began in Europe and eventually made its way to the New World. Witchcraft is believing in and the use of practical magic, such as casting spells, calling on spirits, or predicting the future. Witchcraft is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word, â€Å"wicce,† meaning wise. Therefore, it translates into â€Å"craft of the wise.† Wise people were those who were familiar with natures’ forces and were educated when it