Supernatural occurences in Macbeth
...he witches predicted him to be Thane of Cawdor, for the present Thane of Cawdor was alive and well. The prediction that he was to be king was totally preposterous to him, until the current Thane of Cawdor was guilty of a crime, and Macbeth was crowned. The witches also predicted that Banquo’s children would be kings by stating, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none”. The supernatural occurrences in this scene act as a foreshadowing for the events to come. The future conflicts that are foreshadowed start with the witches’ prediction for Banquo. If Macbeth is to be king in the future, Banquo’s children will somehow have to get to the throne. This possible threat becomes apparent to Macbeth later in the story. It is due to supernatural predictions by the witches that put the plot into motion. Lady Macbeth made up the first step for Macbeth to become king in Scene 5 of Act 1, after she heard of the witches’ predictions. She immediately decided to assassinate the current king, Duncan, in order for Macbeth to gain the throne. Before they complete their task, Macbeth imagines a dagger in front of him, which represents his hesitance in the situation. Despite this supernatural event, Macbeth and his wife execute their plan and kill the king. Blame is not yet placed on Macbeth or Lady Macbeth, but Macbeth’s guilty conscience begins to emerge. Another supernatural episode that touches upon Macbeth’s guilty conscience occurs after he tries to have Banquo and his son killed. After hearing the news that Banquo’s son Fleance had escaped the murderers, he looses some sense of security. As Fleance's survival suggests, it seems there can be no escape from the supernatural prophecies of the witches. The ghost of Banquo appears during a feast and causes Macbeth to make outbursts, alarming the guests (3.4.38). This supernatural event suggests again how Macbeth is being controlled by his guilty conscience. As the ghost is present, Macbeth exclaims, “If trembling I inhabit then, protest me / The baby of a girl. Hence, horrible shadow! / Unreal mock’ry, hence!” (3.4.105). This statement describes Macbeth’s guilt of the murder of Banquo, by comparing him to a young child. Early in Act 4, after the witches make their brew, Macbeth arrives and demands more predictions for the future. The witches give Macbeth his predictions in the form of three apparitions; an armed head saying to beware Macduff, a bloody child saying Macbeth will not be harmed by someone of woman born, and a crowned child telling him he will not be harmed until Birnam Wood moved to Dunsinane Hill (4.1.77). When the apparition states that Macbeth should beware of Macduff, Macbeth reveals that he already fea...