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Hamlet And Macbeth - Shakespeare's Use Of The Supernatural.

        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 Mr. Shakespeares plays. In two such
plays, Hamlet and Macbeth, the supernatural   is an integral part of
the structure of the plot. It provides a catalyst for action, an
insight into character, and augments the impact of many key scenes.
The supernatural appears to the audience in many varied forms. In
Hamlet there appears perhaps the most notable of the supernatural
forms, the ghost. However, in Macbeth, not only does a ghost appear
but a floating dagger, witches, and prophetic apparitions make
appearances.   The role of the supernatural is very important in Hamlet
and Macbeth.

        A ghost, appearing in the form of Hamlets father, makes
several appearances in the play. It first appears to the watchmen,
Marcellus and Bernardo, along with Horatio near the guardsmens' post.
The ghost says nothing to them and is perceived with fear and
apprehension, It harrows me with fear and wonder. It is not until
the appearance of Hamlet that the ghost speaks, and only then after
Horatio has expressed his fears about Hamlet following it, What if it
tempt you toward the flood, my lord, or to the dreadful summit of the
cliff.

        The conversation between the ghost and Hamlet serves as a
catalyst for Hamlets later actions and provides insight into Hamlets
character. The information the ghost reveals incites Hamlet into
action against a situation he was already uncomfortable with, and now
even more so. 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, and thus an aspect of Hamlets
character is revealed. Hamlet, having no suspicion of the ghost after
the production by the players, encounters the ghost next in his
mothers room. In this scene...