Supernatural in Literature

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the depiction of the supernatural in literature. It specifically looks at the ways that the supernatural is portrayed in William Shakespeare's plays and focuses on the witches in "Macbeth" and the fantasy and illusion of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The paper concludes by mentioning other works that have depicted the supernatural, such as Rudolfo Anaya's novel, "Bless me, Ultima."

From the Paper:

"There are no significant actual dreams in the play but rather some dreamlike situations that add to the magical quality of the story. For example, after Titania, the fairy queen whom Oberon wanted to fall in love with someone other than the little boy of her friend's, wakes up from her sleep with love potion on her eyes and under the spell of that charm, immediately falls in love with a clownish figure Bottom. This may appear to be a very hilarious situation to the readers but it is situations like these that were responsible for bringing about a significant change in the course of the play. During that period when she was under the influence of the charm, she dotes on the clown but as soon as the spell ends, she starts loathing the very same person. Whatever has taken place during the spell was a beautiful dream to Bottom who lacked the intelligence to fathom what had happened to him. (IV, i., ll.205-214) Another very important role of dreams can be understood by the speech of Puck in the last Act when he offers an explanation for dreamlike situations to other characters. He wants them to think of their past as nothing but a dream because this explanation could answer whatever questions they had in mind. (ACT V)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Baker, Arthur E. "Macbeth." A Shakespeare Commentary, Part 1, New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co, 1957. 69-128.
• A.C. Bradley, University of Oxford, 17 lectures on Macbeth: Retrieved online 6th May 2006, from http://www.thelandofmacbeth.com/lectures/bradley.zip

More papers on Supernatural in Literature:

• Analytical Essay # 126394 : "God and the Supernatural in Literature"
• Analytical Essay # 140045 : "The Supernatural in Chinese Fiction"
• Analytical Essay # 46400 : "Naturalism in Literature"

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