How did Shakespeare link symbolism and mysticism in Macbeth?

Shakespeare uses many supernatural elements in his tragedy Macbeth; more so than in any other play he wrote. The witches represent the dark powers that have the capacity to influence men's decisions, but, more importantly, they are an outward representation of Macbeth's inner evil. Having said this, the brooding and mystifying darkness itself is a recurring motif in the drama and, like the Witches, it symbolizes the darkness in Macbeth's heart and the evil nature of his horrible deeds.

For a more detailed look at the mystical elements in Macbeth and how they relate to the overall symbolism in the play, please read my article on the Sources for Macbeth.

How to cite this article:

Mabillard, Amanda. Symbolism in Macbeth. Shakespeare Online. 20 Aug. 2000. (date when you accessed the information) < http://www.shakespeare-online.com/faq/macbethfaq/symbolismmacbeth.html >.

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