Stories with supernatural elements like ghosts and witches existed before the coming of Christianity. Folkloric tales, vernacular beliefs and legends were at the roots of such stories. Ghosts and witches fascinated and at the same time scared many people around the world. During Shakespearean times, people believed in the idea of good and evil and were very superstition. The idea of the afterlife was also very popular. The unknown scared but at the same time amused many people; therefore, many plays feature supernatural elements in them. William Shakespeare, who wrote his plays during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras used supernatural beings like ghosts and witches to help move the plot and convey a certain atmosphere.
The depiction of supernatural creatures changed throughout the years. Many stories feature different kinds of ghosts and the reasons for their appearances. The contemporary image of ghosts and witches is vastly different from the medieval ones. In the past, ghosts appeared to convey a message or haunt the living, while witches were usually women who did not conform to the standards of society at the time.
The term paper will explore the roles of The Weird Sisters and decide whether they are responsible for Macbeth’s actions or he alone is in charge of his destiny. The theme of prophecy and the role of destiny that was very popular at the time the play was written is also going to be explored and analyzed. Moreover, I will compare the Ghost of Hamlet to the Ghost of Banquo in the plays.
The aim of this term paper is to trace supernatural creatures in Shakespearean plays and find reasons for the use of the supernatural in the plays. In Hamlet, I will focus my attention on the Ghost, its description, and its purpose in the play. In Macbeth, I will look at The Weird Sisters and the Ghost of Banquo. In order to contrast the ghosts in both plays, I will look at their appearances, purpose in the play, and personal motifs. Moreover, I will explore the role of witchcraft, prophecy and destiny in Macbeth.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. Supernatural beliefs and Witchcraft in England
- 2. The role of Hamlet's mourning in the play
- 2.1 The analysis of Ghost in Hamlet
- 3. The Weird Sisters in Macbeth
- 4. The Ghost in Macbeth
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to analyze the portrayal of supernatural beings in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth, exploring the reasons for their inclusion and their impact on the plots. The paper compares and contrasts the depiction of ghosts in both plays, examining their purposes, appearances, and motifs. It also investigates the roles of witchcraft, prophecy, and destiny in Macbeth, and the evolution of medieval ghost stories.
- The portrayal of supernatural beings (ghosts and witches) in Shakespearean plays.
- A comparative analysis of the ghosts in Hamlet and Macbeth.
- The role of witchcraft, prophecy, and destiny in Macbeth.
- The evolution of medieval ghost stories and their influence on Shakespeare's works.
- The function of supernatural elements in advancing the plot and creating atmosphere.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introduction establishes the context of supernatural beliefs in Shakespeare's time, highlighting the prevalence of superstition and the fascination with ghosts and witches. It introduces the research methodology (qualitative text analysis) and the chosen plays (Hamlet and Macbeth) for comparison. The paper's objective is clearly defined: to trace the roles of supernatural creatures in both plays, focusing on the Ghost in Hamlet and the Weird Sisters and Ghost of Banquo in Macbeth. The introduction also briefly touches upon the theoretical framework, which involves examining the development and changing perceptions of medieval ghost stories.
1. Supernatural beliefs and Witchcraft in England: This chapter defines "supernatural" and explores its connection to superstition and the prevalent belief in destiny during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. It examines the portrayal of ghosts in early medieval texts, contrasting them with modern ghost stories. The chapter discusses the "Twelfth Century Renaissance" and its impact on the rise of ghost stories, highlighting the shift from exemplary to entertaining purposes in storytelling. It notes the influence of folklore, legends, and vernacular beliefs on the development of supernatural narratives.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, supernatural, ghost, witches, Weird Sisters, prophecy, destiny, superstition, medieval ghost stories, Elizabethan era, Jacobean era, qualitative text analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions: Shakespeare's Supernatural
What is the main topic of this academic paper preview?
This preview summarizes an academic paper analyzing the portrayal of supernatural beings (ghosts and witches) in Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth. It compares and contrasts their roles, appearances, and impact on the plots, investigating themes of prophecy, destiny, and the evolution of medieval ghost stories.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores the portrayal of supernatural beings in Shakespearean plays, specifically comparing the ghosts in Hamlet and Macbeth. It also examines the role of witchcraft, prophecy, and destiny in Macbeth, and traces the evolution of medieval ghost stories and their influence on Shakespeare's work. The function of supernatural elements in advancing the plot and creating atmosphere is also a key focus.
What plays are analyzed in the paper?
The paper focuses on William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Macbeth, using them as case studies to examine the use of supernatural elements in his works.
What specific supernatural elements are discussed?
The paper analyzes the role of ghosts (specifically the Ghost in Hamlet and the Ghost of Banquo in Macbeth), witches (the Weird Sisters in Macbeth), prophecy, and destiny.
What is the methodology used in the paper?
The paper employs qualitative text analysis as its research methodology.
What is the purpose of the introduction?
The introduction sets the historical and cultural context of supernatural beliefs in Shakespeare's time, outlining the research methodology and the objective of comparing the supernatural elements in Hamlet and Macbeth. It also briefly introduces the theoretical framework, touching upon the development and changing perceptions of medieval ghost stories.
What does Chapter 1 cover?
Chapter 1 defines "supernatural" within the context of Elizabethan and Jacobean beliefs, exploring its connection to superstition and destiny. It examines the portrayal of ghosts in early medieval texts and discusses the "Twelfth Century Renaissance" and its impact on the rise of ghost stories. The chapter also highlights the influence of folklore and legends on supernatural narratives.
What keywords are associated with this paper?
Keywords include: Shakespeare, Hamlet, Macbeth, supernatural, ghost, witches, Weird Sisters, prophecy, destiny, superstition, medieval ghost stories, Elizabethan era, Jacobean era, qualitative text analysis.
What is the overall objective of this academic paper?
The paper aims to analyze how Shakespeare uses supernatural beings to impact the plots of Hamlet and Macbeth, exploring the reasons behind their inclusion and comparing their depictions across the two plays.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2022, The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Plays "Hamlet" and "Macbeth", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1263499
