Supernatural Occurrences in Hamlet and Macbeth
             In the time of William Shakespeare there was a strong belief in the existence of the supernatural. Thus, the supernatural is a recurring aspect in many of Shakespeare's plays. In two such plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural is an integral part of the structure of the plot.
             The role of the supernatural is very important in Hamlet. A ghost, appearing in the form of Hamlet's father, makes several appearances in the play. It first appears to the watchmen, Marcellus and Bernardo, along with Horatio near the guardsmen's post. Once Hamlet appears, the ghost finally speaks. After this event, Horatio expresses his fears about Hamlet. The conversation between the ghost and Hamlet serves as a catalyst for Hamlet's later actions and provides insight into Hamlet's character. Hamlet is not quick to believe the ghost. "The spirit that I have seen may be a devil... and perhaps out of my weakness and my melancholy...abuses me to damn me"(1.5.95-97). Through this quote, an aspect of Hamlet's character is revealed. Hamlet encounters the ghost next in his mother's room. In this scene the ghost makes an appearance to "whet" Hamlet's "almost blunted purpose"(3.4.113). The ghost asks Hamlet to seek revenge for the King's death and Hamlet is thus propelled to set into action a series of events that ends in Hamlet's death.
             The supernatural occurs numerous times during the course of Macbeth. Of the supernatural phenomenon evident in Macbeth, the witches are the most important. The witches represent Macbeth's evil ambitions. They are the catalysts that unleash Macbeth's evil aspirations. At Macbeth's choice the witches add further unnatural ingredients to the cauldron and call up their masters. The prophetic apparitions appear here. The first apparition tells Macbeth that he cannot be harmed by an...