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.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (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
- Conclusion...
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper examines the role of supernatural creatures, specifically ghosts and witches, in William Shakespeare's plays *Hamlet* and *Macbeth*. It analyzes how these supernatural elements contribute to the plot, character development, and thematic exploration in both plays. The paper aims to understand the historical context of supernatural beliefs in Elizabethan and Jacobean England and to analyze the depiction of ghosts and witches in Shakespeare's works. The paper also aims to compare and contrast the use of ghosts in *Hamlet* and *Macbeth*, looking at their individual characteristics, motives, and roles in the play.
- The depiction of ghosts and witches in Shakespeare's plays
- Supernatural beliefs and folklore in Elizabethan and Jacobean England
- The role of prophecy and destiny in Shakespeare's plays
- The comparison of ghosts in *Hamlet* and *Macbeth*
- The influence of supernatural creatures on the characters and plot in both plays
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introductory chapter defines the concept of the supernatural and explores its historical context in England, particularly during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. It discusses the prevalence of supernatural beliefs, folklore, and superstition in the time period, highlighting the significance of ghosts and witches in medieval and early modern literature. The chapter also outlines the research methods used in the paper, focusing on qualitative text analysis of *Hamlet* and *Macbeth*.
Chapter 1 delves into the history of supernatural beliefs and witchcraft in England, exploring how these concepts evolved over time. The chapter examines the influence of religion, folklore, and social norms on the perception of ghosts and witches. It analyzes how these beliefs shaped the way these supernatural beings were portrayed in literature and how they influenced the development of ghost stories.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Supernatural, ghosts, witches, Shakespeare, *Hamlet*, *Macbeth*, Elizabethan era, Jacobean era, folklore, witchcraft, prophecy, destiny, text analysis, qualitative research, medieval literature, supernatural beliefs, superstition, England.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2022, The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Plays "Hamlet" and "Macbeth", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1263499
