William Shakespeare’s Application of The Supernatural in His Plays

William Shakespeare applies the supernatural to develop a timeless commentary about societies in his plays. During the Elizabethan Era, the period was defined by a consistent and enduring Great Chain of Being that convinced people of negative and unethical views about the supernatural. While reading Shakespeare’s works about the paranormal, namely exciting plays such as Julius Caesar, Macbeth and a Midsummer Night’s Dream the concept of tragedies and comedies demonstrates the dark side of human character which adds to the prominent value of his works.

William Shakespeare's works persuades community of unethical views about the supernatural. Shakespeare regularly demonstrates the abnormal through sinister characters namely witches. An example of this is identified within his familiar play, Macbeth, in which Witch 1 announces “I come, Graymalkin!” Shakespeare refers to Graymalkin as Witch 1’s familiar, a powerful entity in the form of an animal that assists witches in utilizing their potential. This shows that witches associated with peculiar animals making them seem different in other citizen’s views. In Addition, Shakespeare further convinced people of unethical views about the supernatural. In Act 1 Scene 1, Witch 2 declares “Paddock Calls”, in which she was referring to her toad familiar to her fellow witches. This proves that witches associate with outlandish animals to draw power, generating negative views against them. Furthermore, a third and final witch is used to express the paranormal in a sinister perspective. In Act 1 Scene 1, Witch 3 remarks “Anon” which means ‘I’ll be right there’ to her familiar, a spirit. With this evidence, we can infer that witches associated with other-worldly familiars and therefore society developed unethical views about them and the supernatural.

While reading Shakespeare’s works on comedy, the dark side of human nature can be noticed. He demonstrates the disreputable perspective of human nature through seemingly innocent characters specifically fairies. This can be identified within his play a Midsummer Night’s Dream. In Act 2 Scene 2, Oberon squeezes flower juice on Titania’s eyes and chants, “What thou dost. Do it for thy true love take”. Oberons intentions were to make Titania fall in love with the first thing she saw and now what she herself wanted to love. This reflects the dark perspective of human nature through Oberon’s actions as a fairy. In Addition, Shakespeare applied sinister attributes of human personality in his works. After Oberon chants, he further chants “Love and languish for his sake. When thou wakest it is thy dear”. When analyzed this means to protect and nurture the first thing she sees. This sinful act by Oberon forces Titania to blindly nurture something without her approval. This expressed the sinister aspect of mortal attitude. Furthermore, Shakespeare further portrays wrongful deeds in his works. In Act 2 Scene 2, after Oberon has chanted a spell, he ends the spell with, “Wake when some vile thing is near”. Oberon’s intentions were to force Titania to unknowingly love something gruesome without her permission. The purpose of this reflection is to teach his audience to do virtuous deeds, adding to the universal value of his works.

Throughout Shakespeare’s works, the dark side of human character can be identified, specifically in tragedies. He portrays this through supernatural characters namely ghosts. In Act 4 Scene 4 of Julius Caesar, the ghost of Julius Caesar enters and Brutus speaks “Speak to me thou art”, in which the ghost replies, “Thy evil spirit, Brutus”. This line is a reflection of Brutus’s poor choices in murdering his friend, Julius Caesar. In addition, Shakespeare further expresses the sinister aspect of human nature through wrongdoings in his works. After the ghost replies to Brutus, Brutus questions “Why comest thou” and the ghost of Caesar replies “To tell thee thou shalt see me at Philippi”. This line is utilised to portray Brutus regret assassinating Julius Caesar due to his poor choices that expressed sinister human attitude. Furthermore, Shakespeare portrays the sinister aspect of human nature through the supernatural characters such as ghosts. When the ghost of Julius Caesar is about to leave, Brutus answers “Well, then I shall see thee again.” Leaving Brutus to brood about his poor decisions that demonstrated his sinful nature

William Shakespeare employs the paranormal to construct a timeless commentary about humanity in his plays. Shakespeare lived in the Elizabethan Era, an era that was defined by a persistent and enduring Great Chain of Being that persuaded people of sinful and unethical perspectives about the abnormal. Throughout Shakespeare’s works about the supernatural, specifically exciting plays such as Julius Caesar, Macbeth and a Midsummer Night’s Dream the concept of comedies and tragedies expresses the dark side of human character which boosts the prominent value of his works.