Shakespeare And Superstition: A Study Of How Shakespeare Uses Superstition And Visions In Macbeth And Julius Caesar

ABSTRACT

This thesis is a critical analysis of the use of superstition in some selected plays by William Shakespeare. The main purpose of the study was to analyse how Shakespeare uses superstition and visions in the two selected plays, Macbeth and Julius Caesar to structure his plays. The study investigated the consequences that befell the main characters for following or ignoring superstition. The two plays were selected using purposive sampling and were analysed using the content analysis method. In this study, the researcher selected all the texts from the two plays with reference to superstition. The study used the New Historical Criticism as the theoretical framework. This theory looks at a text by considering all the historical aspects that might have influenced the writer to write the type of text that he or she has written.

The study reveals that Shakespeare uses superstition and visions such as dreams, omens, apparitions and ghosts in his plays to bring in some dramatic effects, chaos and also to bring in some confusion amongst the characters. It also reveals that the visions that are used in the two plays were all warnings which were meant for the main characters and came true in the end. It also reveals that the main characters reacted to the supernatural visions and warnings in various ways, Macbeth follows superstition and Caesar ignores the warnings. In the end they are both affected negatively. Based on the findings of the study, this study recommends that more studies should be done on some other elements used by William Shakespeare in the same plays as well as their effects on the characters. This study is a great

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contribution to the study of Shakespeare’s work, especially in Namibia where the study of Shakespeare’s works is low.