Paranormal Interest and Contemporariness of Magical Realism in Macbeth.

Abstract

Supernatural presence is something that has been widely acknowledged in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. There issupposedly an abundance of paranormal activity and eeriness in this play. In fact, it is not an over statement to say that paranormal events drive the action in this play. However, with increasing discoveries and broader horizons made available by scientific advancement in 21st century, the supernatural still stands relevant? If so, what has rendered it its contemporariness? A study conducted by Shane Rogers and his team from Clarkson University in the United States observed similarities between paranormal experiences and the hallucinogenic effects of fungal spores (Dagnall Neil, The conversation). This might explain why both Macbeth and Banquo sighted the witches, having been exposed to the same weather conditions which were conducive to the growth of fungi, i.e, “thunder, lightning and rain”. And all the remaining sightings were the fragments of Macbeth’s disturbed mind. However, if the dramatist had intended to eliminate the paranormal interest, he had not designed three scenes, solely devoted to the agents of supernatural or evil, which were the witches.