The Supernatural & Gender

The Supernatural

Supernatural events are things that happen which cannot be explained. For example, in Macbeth there are ghosts, a floating dagger and powerful witches who make prophecies (predictions about the future).

Witches in the 17th Century

In the 17th century, people were very fearful of witchcraft and the supernatural, especially the king himself, James I.
Witchcraft was seen as responsible for everything bad that happened in life (e.g. if crops didn’t grow or if there was an outbreak of disease).
The belief was that people who gained these supernatural powers had made a pact with the Devil.

James I and witches

James I himself was especially superstitious and fearful of witches – he was known as a witch hunter and saw hundreds of people burnt at the stake for witchcraft whilst he was King of Scotland.
He called witchcraft “high treason against God”.
When he took the throne of England, James I insisted on hanging witches – even people who were just accused of the crime or just had a strange mark on their body.

Men and Women

In Jacobean times (the time when James I of England was in power), women were expected to be subordinate to their husbands.

Women being subordinate

This means women were supposed to obey their husbands.
If the women argued, they could be beaten. Parents raised women to believe that men were more important than they were.
It was definitely not expected that a man would treat his wife as an equal.

Powerful women in Shakespeare

However, Shakespeare made a lot of his leading women strong characters – this may have been a reflection of having Elizabeth I on the throne just before James I.
In Macbeth, Lady Macbeth seems to be a very powerful character – she encourages her husband to murder King Duncan, and pressures him by implying that he is a worthless coward if he does not.
Ultimately, though, he develops a hunger for power which overtakes his care for his wife.

Expectations of men

Men with status in society were expected to behave in an honourable way and show qualities like loyalty and bravery.
- Macbeth begins the play by being brave and honourable, risking his life to fight for his king and country.
- However, he soon dishonours himself by being disloyal to King Duncan and his other comrades.

1Literary & Cultural Context

1.1Context

1.1.1Tragedy

1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender

1.1.3Politics & Monarchy

1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context

2Plot Summary

2.1Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 2

2.1.2Scene 3

2.1.3Scenes 4-5

2.1.4Scenes 6-7

2.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1

2.2Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 2

2.2.2Act 3

2.2.3Act 4

2.3Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-3

2.3.2Scenes 4-9

2.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-5

3Characters

3.1Macbeth

3.1.1Hero vs Villain

3.1.2Ambition & Fate

3.1.3Relationship

3.1.4Unstable

3.1.5End of Topic Test - Macbeth

3.2Lady Macbeth

3.2.1Masculine & Ruthless

3.2.2Manipulative & Disturbed

3.3Other Characters

3.3.1Banquo

3.3.2The Witches

3.3.3Exam-Style Questions - The Witches

3.3.4King Duncan

3.3.5Macduff

3.3.6End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo

3.3.7End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff

3.4Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.4.1Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions

4Themes

4.1Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition

4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning

4.1.3Violence

4.1.4The Supernatural

4.1.5Masculinity

4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order

4.1.7Appearances & Deception

4.1.8Madness & Blood

4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep

4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes

4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2

4.2Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.2Extract Analysis

5Writer's Techniques

5.1Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony

5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism

5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques

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