Darkness, horror and the supernatural are all tools that an author may use to seize the attention and interest of the reader. These tools may be used in any manner of ways in order to capture the readers' attention. The tools set the mood, which will engross the mind of the reader and will thus draw them into the plot of the literary work. In his tragic play Macbeth, William Shakespeare exercises the thematic tools of darkness, horror and the supernatural because these tools appeal to the audience's curiosity of the mysterious and thus strengthens their interest. It is these tools that Shakespeare uses in order to enrapture the reader and audience into the drama that is about to unfold. Without the mystery in this play, the plot would be ordinary, and there would be nothing unusual to attract the attention of the reader.
             The brilliance of Shakespeare's use of these thematic tools is seen instantly in the opening of his play, which is set on a dark stormy night. Shakespeare uses this setting to set the mood for the play in its' entirety. It is foreshadowing that there will be evil, corruption, and calamity throughout the play. If the play began with the opening scene set on a sunny spring morning, the effect of darkness, horror and the supernatural would be unsuitable and inappropriate. Also, if the play opened up on a sunny day, the intensity and significance of the witches' role would be significantly reduced. The setting of the play on a dark stormy night adds to the mystery and horror that will be portrayed throughout the play.
             The witches in Macbeth play a considerably important role. The witches are one of the main approaches that Shakespeare uses in order to set a mood of chaos, confusion and conflict. The witches represent everything evil in the play. They represent the evil convictions and the evil inclinations of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. These witches are the catalyst that unleash the evi...