Shakespeare’s writing is very clever, especially with his stage directions. They can have unknown messages or assist with specific parts, in the case of Macbeth, they help the notions of the supernatural. Every time the audience reads about the witches, the weather instantly changes to something that is more suitable. “Thunder. Enter the three Witches.” The thunder creates an atmosphere of unease, mystery and danger which the “weird sisters” use completely to their advantage. As the thunder is ever present around the Witches, it creates the illusion that the Witches have power far beyond that of reading the future, it makes the audience think that they can control the weather because they have supernatural power. When Macbeth see’s the Witches for the second time, three apparitions appear to him and warn him. Each time an apparition appears out of the cauldron, there is a shock of thunder which prepares the audience and Macbeth for something supernatural to occur. “Thunder. First Apparition of an armed Head.” The Witches also have the supernatural power to vanish into thin air as they please. “Music. The Witches dance, and then vanish with HECATE.” Hecate is a greek goddess of dark places who is often associated with ghosts and sorcery. To the Witches, Hecate is their only goddess as she controls all visions which are under the influence of the supernatural. These stage directions, which Shakespeare has cleverly put in, have helped to bespeak the notions of the supernatural in different ways.
The first apparition, an armed Head - before the first witch cautions Macbeth to beware of Macduff Thane of Fife. The second apparition appears to be “a bloody Child” with the witches explaining that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.” The third apparition was of a “Child crowned with a tree in his hand” the third witch explaining that Macbeth “shall never be vanquish’d be until Great Birnam Wood” marches against him.
Scene i concludes with an aside revealing Macbeth’s plan to ‘surprise’ the castle of Macduff. How does this murder differ from the murder of Duncan? Use quotes in your answer and consider the concept ambition.
Act 4 Scene I depicts the return of Macbeth from the witches, filled with the thoughts and poison of the witches he acts in the witches interests believing it is his own free-will, considering the first apparition that Macduff posing a threat should be eliminated. We as the modern day audience analyse how much ambition is Macbeth’s or is it solely the witches’ manipulation that has twisted fully Macbeth’s mind, whether he is possessed or not? For the audience in the Jacobean period, they would have been frightened as Shakespeare cleverly explores the unknown, superstitions and metaphysical such as ghostly “apparitions”. Clearly the witches have transformed Macbeth into a darker person, “from this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand” suggesting to us that Macbeth believes his should not waste time thinking and should act immediately. This is highly controversial as once he was regarded as a wise general who thought strategically. Undoubtedly the unfortunate villain Macbeth has lost his mind acting on his impulses, with dramatic irony that we know that he is only the puppet. As we explore the concept of ambition, Macbeth at this point has lost his own free-will but is overpowered by ambition sourced from the evil and from the “secret, black, and midnight hags”. We follow him on his journey horrified by his actions as he seizes “upon Fife”; giving ‘to th’edge o’the’sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” This is the pivotal reason that likely resulted in the shock and devastation of Lady Macbeth spiralling deeper into depression. Shakespeare portrays Macbeth’s impulsive and imperative tone as he orders the murders to pulverise Castle Fife and its nobles. We understand that Macbeth crosses the line at this point, also his insecurities fuel his ambition further to crush his whom innocents who have done him no wrong deserve a death. Ironically in Act 4 Scene 2, Lady Macduff heartbroken at her husband’s departure believing Macduff has betrayed the king and Scotland. Upon responding to her son’s question on asking whether his father Macduff is a traitor, she replies “Ay, that he was”, just as Lady Macduff’s last words were “one who swears and lies is also a traitor”, we as the audience know that Shakespeare is referring to Macbeth and to the theme of “fair is foul and foul is fair.” We emphasise at the loyalty and innocence of Lady Macduff to her country and king, Macbeth who masterminded the assassination of her, she dies in vain oblivious that her husband is not a traitor whilst Macbeth is the true traitor who deserves to be hanged, reinforcing Shakespeare’s inversion of roles implying through dramatic irony that the world is unfair to his audience thus truly Macbeth the serpent has revealed itself from the hiding (thus allows him to be extremely vulnerable in the analogy).
How do Shakespeare’s use of stage directions reveal the notions of the supernatural?
“An isolated place. Thunder. Enter the three Witches with a cauldron,” stage directions show through imagery that as unfortunate events start to unravel, the weather brews a storm that is about to arrive. Cauldron itself symbolises a depth of evil similar to pandora’s box containing bubbles of hate, envy and revenge most indefinitely for the witch hunts that had occurred throughout the centuries. It conveys to us the beliefs and superstitions of the society in Shakespeare’s days, we can relate Shakespeare has gathered ideas from the Greeks as the witches come in a pack of three parallel to the Fates (three sisters) in Greek mythology. The repetition of the stage directions of thunder reinforces to Macbeth as a grave caution almost suggesting that the heavens want Macbeth to snap out of the hypnosis, perhaps a tiny speck of hope like a pin in a haystack melancholically he ignores the signs and the his natural instincts as his blind arrogance overdriven by witchcraft that he believes men born of no woman do not exist nor that trees cannot move. Shakespeare portrays the clash of consciences between good and evil shown in Macbeth, the consequences of ambition and when evil such as ambition and greed corrupts a person. Us audience comprehend that the witches never meant well for Macbeth by context King James I of England (Shakespeare’s patron) strongly opposed against witches had influenced Shakespeare’s play. The stage directions almost suggested that the society believed that the king was naturally chosen from God however when someone else who is unnaturally seizes the throne himself, the heavens turn against the person reacting in thunder. There was much emphasis as faith and superstitions were unknown to the common society of England at the time. Stage directions depict an allegorical message of divinity in the skies and as demonstrated the environment responds to the outcome of the play.
Shakespeare’s use of stage directions foreshadows and accentuates the proceeding events and helps define the supernatural presences throughout the play. At the beginning of the scene, “Thunder” announces the entrance of the witches, and immediately acts as a reminder of the great evil powers that they posses, creating an uneasy and iniquitous atmosphere. The stage direction is repeated throughout the scene adding emphasis on “wicked practices” that are constant throughout the play. Directions for music are also present, with cues for “hautboys”, suggesting a greater power is action. Stage directions are used to help the audience foresee the future supernatural presences, which are heavily embedded in Macbeth.
Shakespeare’s most obvious and forward communication with the audience besides words have always been the stage direction. They provide context for the scene and can even foreshadow a dark event and this is especially important when dealings with Act IV, Scene I. Stage directions are often quintessential in providing context for a Shakespearean play, “An isolated place. Thunder. Enter the three Witches with a cauldron”. Thunder is considered foreshadowing and in Shakespeare’s plays he often eludes to dangerous and evil times. The fact that these witches are in a cavern or ‘isolated place’ means that they are not fond of humans and probably not even human. “Enter Hecate , and the other three witches”, Hecate is known as a Goddess of dark places and is associated with ghosts and sorcery. Later on thunder is used to show us the apparitions are evil, “Thunder. First apparition…Second….Third”. The before every apparition eludes to a darker force that is angering the sky. Towards the end of the scene the Witches leave in an unusual manner, “Music. The Witches dance and vanish”. This description tells us that the Witches are not normal and are apart of a non-human kind.
Not sure if you knew what quintessential meant before Mr. Symons used it; Maybe it is a good thing that he uses all those big words so that we can use them in our essays.
Shakespeare’s plays and their content are executed very carefully and intelligently, that keeps people thinking and wondering what he’s talking about which is one of the reasons Shakespeare’s plays are still studied to this day. Stage directions play a huge part in Shakespeare’s plays they withhold unknown messages and assist with specific parts. In the case of Macbeth, they help the notions of the supernatural. Throughout the text the audience reads, “Thunder, Enter the three witches.” There is a constant recurring motif of the weather changing when the witches enter, also symbolising the darkness and Supernatural Imagery. the thunder creates and atmosphere of unease, mystery and danger which the “weird sister”, use completely to their advantage. The “secret, black and midnight hags”, are constantly surrounded by the allusions of thunder and darkness, creating the illusion that the witches have power far beyond that of reading the future. It reiterates the idea of these witches being of supernatural decent. When “Something wicked (Macbeth)”, see’s the witches for the second time, they tell him three apparitions, along with stage directions that exemplify the meaning and the darkness to the apparitions. There are also music directions used with cues for “hautboys”, increasing the intensity and the power of the actions. Stage Directions are also cleverly used to allow the audience to almost foreshadow what is to come within the supernatural presents, which are heavily embedded in Macbeth.
Shakespeare’s language is elegant in creating context and setting the mood. ”Thunder. Enter the three Witches” His continual use of pathetic fallacy appropriately foreshadows semblances of apprehension and consternation, as environment is constantly changing as the witches appear, suggesting their supernatural disposition. This tends to set an uneasy mood within the audience, and emphasises the mysterious nature of the witches. “A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES.” Shakespeare uses parataxis to further intensify the mood and the witches’ perplexing nature. The audience is given the impression that the witches are more than what we understand, as the weather is persistently reflecting that of the witches intentions. This characterises the witches with more accountability for Macbeth’s demise by the result of their supernatural abilities. Furthermore, the thunder ultimately creates a dark perception of the situation also reflecting the intentions and emotions of the “spirits that tend on mortal thoughts”, that of being evil, sinister and foul.
How does Shakespeare’s use of stage directions bespeak the notion of the supernatural? Shakespeare uses Stage direction as a way to create an atmosphere, a space in which the play takes place. For example, the use of the words, “an isolated place” and “lightning” emphasize the supernatural elements of the play, as well as various technique like rhyming couplets. All of these efforts that Shakespeare went through was to emphasize the difference between mortals and the supernatural.
(Everyone else has talked about the traditional stage directions so I will just do ones related to Lady Macbeth)
Shakespeare’s use of stage directions are vital to the opening of scenes and short pauses during acts. The function of these stage directions is to be a corner stone on which the setting may be laid. It provides an opportunity for Shakespeare to captivate the audience by introducing the next scene with effects that allude to a supernatural presence. ‘Enter Lady Macbeth, An owl shrieks’. This extract suggests that Lady Macbeth has an evil supernatural aura as she wished for in Act 1 Scene 5 and that she has just committed a great atrocity. This then points to another stage direction that depicts Lady Macbeth as a malevolent woman; ‘Lady Macbeth stands on the castle Battlements’. This unnatural scene where Lady Macbeth is standing on her castle battlements while she asks spirits to unsex her; is a perfect example of these stage directions displaying her as a demonic excuse for a woman. And with that, the stage directions place this depiction of her even before she has opened her mouth
Shakespeare is one the worlds greatest writers known to date, and as a result, we still study his many works. We see his fantastic use of language especially in his plays, and in particular in his stage directions and the ability to use them to bespeak the notions of the super natural. A key example of this excellent use of the stage directions seen when addressing the three witches, and the “ghostly apparitions.” When the witches enter the stage, the weather changes instantly to fit the supernatural aura of the witches. “The heath: thunder. Enter the three witches.” We identify the witches as something unnatural, as there mere presence brings darkness and fear. When the three apparitions come in (Thunder. Enter first apparition, an armed head) we see again the darkness the witches bring through the weather, and the supernatural aura of the three sisters. As each apparition comes in we see thunder, showing us that the witches seem to have an unnatural power about themselves and the apparitions they summoned. The use of stage directions and the affect it has on the plays almost foreshadows what is going to happen next. For example, when Macbeth first met the witches and there was thunder and the weather changed, we see something bad happening for him later because of these unnatural creatures tampering with the natural order.
Shakespeare is one the worlds greatest writers known to date, and as a result, we still study his many works. We see his fantastic use of language especially in his plays, and in particular in his stage directions and the ability to use them to bespeak the notions of the super natural. A key example of this excellent use of the stage directions seen when addressing the three witches, and the “ghostly apparitions.” When the witches enter the stage, the weather changes instantly to fit the supernatural aura of the witches. “The heath: thunder. Enter the three witches.” We identify the witches as something unnatural, as there mere presence brings darkness and fear. When the three apparitions come in (Thunder. Enter first apparition, an armed head) we see again the darkness the witches bring through the weather, and the supernatural aura of the three sisters. As each apparition comes in we see thunder, showing us that the witches seem to have an unnatural power about themselves and the apparitions they summoned. The use of stage directions and the affect it has on the plays almost foreshadows what is going to happen next. For example, when Macbeth first met the witches and there was thunder and the weather changed, we see something bad happening for him later because of these unnatural creatures tampering with the natural order.
Act 4 scene 1 marks the point supernatural answers to Macbeth's demands. The scene's structure deliberately recalls the opening scenes of the play. The beginning stage direction opens the position and characters of the scene “The heath: thunder. Enter the three witches.” The recurring motif of the change of weather symbolizing a supernatural imagery and a foreshadowing effect to the scene. There are also music directions used with cues for “hautboys”, increasing the intensity and the power of the actions to create a dramatic spectacle to this key scene. As each “ “ghostly apparitions.” Appears as does thunder in the play, showing us that the witches seem to have an unnatural power about themselves and the apparitions they summoned.
Shakespeare’s writing is very clever, especially with his stage directions. They can have unknown messages or assist with specific parts, in the case of Macbeth, they help the notions of the supernatural. Every time the audience reads about the witches, the weather instantly changes to something that is more suitable. “Thunder. Enter the three Witches.” The thunder creates an atmosphere of unease, mystery and danger which the “weird sisters” use completely to their advantage. As the thunder is ever present around the Witches, it creates the illusion that the Witches have power far beyond that of reading the future, it makes the audience think that they can control the weather because they have supernatural power. When Macbeth see’s the Witches for the second time, three apparitions appear to him and warn him. Each time an apparition appears out of the cauldron, there is a shock of thunder which prepares the audience and Macbeth for something supernatural to occur. “Thunder. First Apparition of an armed Head.” The Witches also have the supernatural power to vanish into thin air as they please. “Music. The Witches dance, and then vanish with HECATE.” Hecate is a greek goddess of dark places who is often associated with ghosts and sorcery. To the Witches, Hecate is their only goddess as she controls all visions which are under the influence of the supernatural. These stage directions, which Shakespeare has cleverly put in, have helped to bespeak the notions of the supernatural in different ways.
ReplyDeleteWhat are the three apparitions?
ReplyDeleteThe first apparition, an armed Head - before the first witch cautions Macbeth to beware
of Macduff Thane of Fife.
The second apparition appears to be “a bloody Child” with the witches
explaining that “none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”
The third apparition was of a “Child crowned with a tree in his hand”
the third witch explaining that Macbeth “shall never be vanquish’d be until
Great Birnam Wood” marches against him.
Scene i concludes with an aside revealing Macbeth’s plan to ‘surprise’ the castle of Macduff. How does this murder differ from the murder of Duncan? Use quotes in your answer and consider the concept ambition.
ReplyDeleteAct 4 Scene I depicts the return of Macbeth from the witches, filled with the thoughts and poison of the witches he acts in the witches interests believing it is his own free-will, considering the first apparition that Macduff posing a threat should be eliminated. We as the modern day audience analyse how much ambition is Macbeth’s or is it solely the witches’ manipulation that has twisted fully Macbeth’s mind, whether he is possessed or not? For the audience in the Jacobean period, they would have been frightened as Shakespeare cleverly explores the unknown, superstitions and metaphysical such as ghostly “apparitions”.
Clearly the witches have transformed Macbeth into a darker person, “from this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand” suggesting to us that Macbeth believes his should not waste time thinking and should act immediately. This is highly controversial as once he was regarded as a wise general who thought strategically. Undoubtedly the unfortunate villain Macbeth has lost his mind acting on his impulses, with dramatic irony that we know that he is only the puppet.
As we explore the concept of ambition, Macbeth at this point has lost his own free-will but is overpowered by ambition sourced from the evil and from the “secret, black, and midnight hags”. We follow him on his journey horrified by his actions as he seizes “upon Fife”; giving ‘to th’edge o’the’sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.” This is the pivotal reason that likely resulted in the shock and devastation of Lady Macbeth spiralling deeper into depression. Shakespeare portrays Macbeth’s impulsive and imperative tone as he orders the murders to pulverise Castle Fife and its nobles. We understand that Macbeth crosses the line at this point, also his insecurities fuel his ambition further to crush his whom innocents who have done him no wrong deserve a death. Ironically in Act 4 Scene 2, Lady Macduff heartbroken at her husband’s departure believing Macduff has betrayed the king and Scotland. Upon responding to her son’s question on asking whether his father Macduff is a traitor, she replies “Ay, that he was”, just as Lady Macduff’s last words were “one who swears and lies is also a traitor”, we as the audience know that Shakespeare is referring to Macbeth and to the theme of “fair is foul and foul is fair.” We emphasise at the loyalty and innocence of Lady Macduff to her country and king, Macbeth who masterminded the assassination of her, she dies in vain oblivious that her husband is not a traitor whilst Macbeth is the true traitor who deserves to be hanged, reinforcing Shakespeare’s inversion of roles implying through dramatic irony that the world is unfair to his audience thus truly Macbeth the serpent has revealed itself from the hiding (thus allows him to be extremely vulnerable in the analogy).
How do Shakespeare’s use of stage directions reveal the notions of the supernatural?
ReplyDelete“An isolated place. Thunder. Enter the three Witches with a cauldron,” stage directions show through imagery
that as unfortunate events start to unravel, the weather brews a storm that is about to arrive. Cauldron
itself symbolises a depth of evil similar to pandora’s box containing bubbles of hate, envy and revenge most indefinitely
for the witch hunts that had occurred throughout the centuries. It conveys to us the beliefs and superstitions of the society in Shakespeare’s days, we can relate Shakespeare has gathered ideas from the Greeks as the witches come in a pack of three parallel
to the Fates (three sisters) in Greek mythology.
The repetition of the stage directions of thunder reinforces to Macbeth as a grave caution almost suggesting that the heavens want Macbeth to snap out of the hypnosis, perhaps a tiny speck of hope like a pin in a haystack melancholically he ignores the signs and the his natural instincts as his blind arrogance overdriven by witchcraft that he believes men born of no woman do not exist nor that trees cannot move. Shakespeare portrays the clash of consciences between good and evil shown in Macbeth, the consequences of ambition and when evil such as ambition and greed corrupts a person. Us audience comprehend that the witches never meant well for Macbeth by context King James I of England (Shakespeare’s patron) strongly opposed against witches had influenced Shakespeare’s play. The stage directions almost suggested that the society believed that the king was naturally chosen from God however when someone else who is unnaturally seizes the throne himself, the heavens turn against the person reacting in thunder. There was much emphasis as faith and superstitions were unknown to the common society of England at the time. Stage directions depict an allegorical message of divinity in the skies and as demonstrated the environment responds to the outcome of the play.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare’s use of stage directions foreshadows and accentuates the proceeding events and helps define the supernatural presences throughout the play. At the beginning of the scene, “Thunder” announces the entrance of the witches, and immediately acts as a reminder of the great evil powers that they posses, creating an uneasy and iniquitous atmosphere. The stage direction is repeated throughout the scene adding emphasis on “wicked practices” that are constant throughout the play. Directions for music are also present, with cues for “hautboys”, suggesting a greater power is action. Stage directions are used to help the audience foresee the future supernatural presences, which are heavily embedded in Macbeth.
Shakespeare’s most obvious and forward communication with the audience besides words have always been the stage direction. They provide context for the scene and can even foreshadow a dark event and this is especially important when dealings with Act IV, Scene I. Stage directions are often quintessential in providing context for a Shakespearean play, “An isolated place. Thunder. Enter the three Witches with a cauldron”. Thunder is considered foreshadowing and in Shakespeare’s plays he often eludes to dangerous and evil times. The fact that these witches are in a cavern or ‘isolated place’ means that they are not fond of humans and probably not even human. “Enter Hecate , and the other three witches”, Hecate is known as a Goddess of dark places and is associated with ghosts and sorcery. Later on thunder is used to show us the apparitions are evil, “Thunder. First apparition…Second….Third”. The before every apparition eludes to a darker force that is angering the sky. Towards the end of the scene the Witches leave in an unusual manner, “Music. The Witches dance and vanish”. This description tells us that the Witches are not normal and are apart of a non-human kind.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you knew what quintessential meant before Mr. Symons used it; Maybe it is a good thing that he uses all those big words so that we can use them in our essays.
DeleteShakespeare’s plays and their content are executed very carefully and intelligently, that keeps people thinking and wondering what he’s talking about which is one of the reasons Shakespeare’s plays are still studied to this day. Stage directions play a huge part in Shakespeare’s plays they withhold unknown messages and assist with specific parts. In the case of Macbeth, they help the notions of the supernatural. Throughout the text the audience reads, “Thunder, Enter the three witches.” There is a constant recurring motif of the weather changing when the witches enter, also symbolising the darkness and Supernatural Imagery. the thunder creates and atmosphere of unease, mystery and danger which the “weird sister”, use completely to their advantage. The “secret, black and midnight hags”, are constantly surrounded by the allusions of thunder and darkness, creating the illusion that the witches have power far beyond that of reading the future. It reiterates the idea of these witches being of supernatural decent. When “Something wicked (Macbeth)”, see’s the witches for the second time, they tell him three apparitions, along with stage directions that exemplify the meaning and the darkness to the apparitions. There are also music directions used with cues for “hautboys”, increasing the intensity and the power of the actions. Stage Directions are also cleverly used to allow the audience to almost foreshadow what is to come within the supernatural presents, which are heavily embedded in Macbeth.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare’s language is elegant in creating context and setting the mood. ”Thunder. Enter the three Witches” His continual use of pathetic fallacy appropriately foreshadows semblances of apprehension and consternation, as environment is constantly changing as the witches appear, suggesting their supernatural disposition. This tends to set an uneasy mood within the audience, and emphasises the mysterious nature of the witches. “A cavern. In the middle, a boiling cauldron. Thunder. Enter the three WITCHES.”
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses parataxis to further intensify the mood and the witches’ perplexing nature. The audience is given the impression that the witches are more than what we understand, as the weather is persistently reflecting that of the witches intentions. This characterises the witches with more accountability for Macbeth’s demise by the result of their supernatural abilities.
Furthermore, the thunder ultimately creates a dark perception of the situation also reflecting the intentions and emotions of the “spirits that tend on mortal thoughts”, that of being evil, sinister and foul.
How does Shakespeare’s use of stage directions bespeak the notion of the supernatural?
ReplyDeleteShakespeare uses Stage direction as a way to create an atmosphere, a space in which the play takes place. For example, the use of the words, “an isolated place” and “lightning” emphasize the supernatural elements of the play, as well as various technique like rhyming couplets. All of these efforts that Shakespeare went through was to emphasize the difference between mortals and the supernatural.
(Everyone else has talked about the traditional stage directions so I will just do ones related to Lady Macbeth)
ReplyDeleteShakespeare’s use of stage directions are vital to the opening of scenes and short pauses during acts. The function of these stage directions is to be a corner stone on which the setting may be laid. It provides an opportunity for Shakespeare to captivate the audience by introducing the next scene with effects that allude to a supernatural presence. ‘Enter Lady Macbeth, An owl shrieks’. This extract suggests that Lady Macbeth has an evil supernatural aura as she wished for in Act 1 Scene 5 and that she has just committed a great atrocity. This then points to another stage direction that depicts Lady Macbeth as a malevolent woman; ‘Lady Macbeth stands on the castle Battlements’. This unnatural scene where Lady Macbeth is standing on her castle battlements while she asks spirits to unsex her; is a perfect example of these stage directions displaying her as a demonic excuse for a woman. And with that, the stage directions place this depiction of her even before she has opened her mouth
Shakespeare is one the worlds greatest writers known to date, and as a result, we still study his many works. We see his fantastic use of language especially in his plays, and in particular in his stage directions and the ability to use them to bespeak the notions of the super natural. A key example of this excellent use of the stage directions seen when addressing the three witches, and the “ghostly apparitions.” When the witches enter the stage, the weather changes instantly to fit the supernatural aura of the witches. “The heath: thunder. Enter the three witches.” We identify the witches as something unnatural, as there mere presence brings darkness and fear. When the three apparitions come in (Thunder. Enter first apparition, an armed head) we see again the darkness the witches bring through the weather, and the supernatural aura of the three sisters. As each apparition comes in we see thunder, showing us that the witches seem to have an unnatural power about themselves and the apparitions they summoned. The use of stage directions and the affect it has on the plays almost foreshadows what is going to happen next. For example, when Macbeth first met the witches and there was thunder and the weather changed, we see something bad happening for him later because of these unnatural creatures tampering with the natural order.
ReplyDeleteShakespeare is one the worlds greatest writers known to date, and as a result, we still study his many works. We see his fantastic use of language especially in his plays, and in particular in his stage directions and the ability to use them to bespeak the notions of the super natural. A key example of this excellent use of the stage directions seen when addressing the three witches, and the “ghostly apparitions.” When the witches enter the stage, the weather changes instantly to fit the supernatural aura of the witches. “The heath: thunder. Enter the three witches.” We identify the witches as something unnatural, as there mere presence brings darkness and fear. When the three apparitions come in (Thunder. Enter first apparition, an armed head) we see again the darkness the witches bring through the weather, and the supernatural aura of the three sisters. As each apparition comes in we see thunder, showing us that the witches seem to have an unnatural power about themselves and the apparitions they summoned. The use of stage directions and the affect it has on the plays almost foreshadows what is going to happen next. For example, when Macbeth first met the witches and there was thunder and the weather changed, we see something bad happening for him later because of these unnatural creatures tampering with the natural order.
ReplyDeleteAct 4 scene 1 marks the point supernatural answers to Macbeth's demands. The scene's structure deliberately recalls the opening scenes of the play. The beginning stage direction opens the position and characters of the scene “The heath: thunder. Enter the three witches.” The recurring motif of the change of weather symbolizing a supernatural imagery and a foreshadowing effect to the scene. There are also music directions used with cues for “hautboys”, increasing the intensity and the power of the actions to create a dramatic spectacle to this key scene. As each “ “ghostly apparitions.” Appears as does thunder in the play, showing us that the witches seem to have an unnatural power about themselves and the apparitions they summoned.
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