1.1.2

The Supernatural & Gender

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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

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 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

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

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

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.
Jump to other topics
1

Literary & Cultural Context

1.1

Context

1.1.1Tragedy1.1.2The Supernatural & Gender1.1.3Politics & Monarchy1.1.4End of Topic Test - Context
2

Plot Summary

2.1

Act 1

2.1.1Scenes 1 & 22.1.2Scene 32.1.3Scenes 4-52.1.4Scenes 6-72.1.5End of Topic Test - Act 1
2.2

Acts 2-4

2.2.1Act 22.2.2Act 32.2.3Act 4
2.3

Act 5

2.3.1Scenes 1-32.3.2Scenes 4-82.3.3End of Topic Test - Acts 2-52.3.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending2.3.5Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean
3

Characters

3.1

Macbeth

3.1.1Hero vs Villain3.1.2Ambition & Fate3.1.3Relationship3.1.4Unstable3.1.5End of Topic Test - Macbeth3.1.6Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cowardice3.1.7Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness3.1.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power
3.2

Lady Macbeth

3.2.1Masculine & Ruthless3.2.2Manipulative & Disturbed3.2.3Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT a Man3.2.4Diagnostic Misconceptions - Villain
3.3

Other Characters

3.3.1Banquo3.3.2The Witches3.3.3Exam-Style Questions - The Witches3.3.4King Duncan3.3.5Macduff3.3.6End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo3.3.7End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff3.3.8Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banquo
3.4

Grade 9 - Key Characters

3.4.1Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions
4

Themes

4.1

Themes

4.1.1Power & Ambition4.1.2Power & Ambition HyperLearning4.1.3Violence4.1.4The Supernatural4.1.5Masculinity4.1.6Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order4.1.7Appearances & Deception4.1.8Madness & Blood4.1.9Women, Children & Sleep4.1.10End of Topic Test - Themes4.1.11End of Topic Test - Themes 2
4.2

Grade 9 - Themes

4.2.1Grade 9 - Themes4.2.2Extract Analysis
5

Writer's Techniques

5.1

Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques

5.1.1Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony5.1.2Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism5.1.3End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques
6

Recap: Main Quotes

6.1

Characters Quotes

6.1.1Macbeth6.1.2Macbeth 26.1.3Macbeth 36.1.4Macbeth 46.1.5Lady Macbeth6.1.6Lady Macbeth 26.1.7Banquo6.1.8Banquo 26.1.9The Witches6.1.10King Duncan6.1.11Macduff
6.2

Text Structure - Quotes

6.2.1Violence6.2.2The Supernatural6.2.3Ambition6.2.4Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order6.2.5Appearances & Deception6.2.6Lady Macbeth's Masculinity6.2.7Madness & Blood6.2.8Men, Children & Sleep

Practice questions on The Supernatural & Gender

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    Which of these are true of witches and witchcraft in the 17th century?True / false
  2. 2
    James I's view on and treatment of witches:Fill in the list
  3. 3
    Norms concerning the treatment of women in the 17th century:True / false
  4. 4
    Which of these is NOT something that Lady Macbeth says or does even though it fits with her strong character?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    Expectations of women in 17th century England:Fill in the list
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Tragedy

Politics & Monarchy