Hamlet is scared by the sudden appearance and thus cries out: "Angels and ministers of grace defend us! / Be thou a spirit of health or a goblin damned, / bring with thee airs from heaven or blasts from hell/... thou com'st in such a questionable shape / that I will speak with thee" (1.4.20-25).
Hamlet gradually gains strength in his belief that divine justice had somehow been invoked and the ghost had appeared to guide everyone to justice. However this is one conclusion that we may draw from the play. There can be some others as well that might not be so positive in nature. Was the ghost actually Hamlet's father's? even if it was, was Hamlet really just in seeking revenge? If he were, then was his modus operandi correct? These questions result from close study of the events the followed the appearance of this specter. Even though…...
mlaReferences
Hamlet." "Macbeth" the Norton Shakespeare. Ed. Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, Katharine Eisaman Maus. New York: Norton, 1997.
Charles Edward Whitmore, the Supernatural in Tragedy (Mamaroneck, NY: Paul P. Appel, 1971)
Supernatural Elements in Shakespeare
The supernatural is a topic that runs throughout Shakespearean plays. Indeed, the ability of the supernatural to affect the movement of drama in Shakespeare's works is almost unparalleled. Supernatural elements often take on a power and efficacy that the forces of the natural world could never mimic, and supernatural events often have as great an impact on worldly events as everyday activities do. The examples in Shakespeare's works are numerous: Prospero's powers and his minion Ariel, the Ghost of Hamlet's father, Margaret's curse in Richard III, and the power of prophesy in Julius Caesar. Of all of these instances of black magic and the supernatural and their peculiar effects on the denizens of the land of the living, perhaps no example is more famous, however, than Macbeth and its witches. The play describes Macbeth and anquo's encounter with the witches very early in the action of the…...
mlaBibliography
Innocent VII. "Bull Summis desiderantes, Dec. 5th, 1484." Medieval Sourcebook:
Witchcraft Documents [15th century]. Apr. 11, 2003. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/witches1.html
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth, 1623 First Folio Edition. Apr. 11, 2003. http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/ShaMacF.html
Witches." The Background of Ideas. Shakespeare's Life and Times. Apr. 11, 2003. http://web.uvic.ca/shakespeare/Library/SLT/ideas/witches.html
Supernatural Tales
Epic of Gilgamesh and Hercules
The Epic of Gilgamesh, similar to several provocative stories, may possibly be looked at through whichever figure of interpretive lenses. The current research reflects on Gilgamesh through the lens of contemporary spirituality, attempting to generate insights about both the epic and human spiritual state of affairs. The conception of spirituality is, on the other hand, significantly challenged as well as confused. There are about three permanent as well as extensive questions that need to be undertaken in terms of spirituality and the questions are the identity, the objective as well as fulfillment (W.T.S. Thackara, 2009).
The Gilgamesh was reflected as a very confident two thirds divine warrior- king in his distinctiveness. On the other hand, in the sense that he never understood his humanity especially when it come to his mortality, this was noted during the death of Enkidu because it turned out to be completely…...
mlaReference
W.T.S. Thackara, "The epic of Gilgamesh: A spiritual biography" for a theosophical interpretation. Or see my "Exploring diversity through the 'epic of Gilgamesh,'" Confluence, vol. xiv, no. 2. 2009. Retrieved on October 28, 2013 from http://www.theosophy-nw.org/theosnw/world/mideast/mi-wtst.htm .
Sundiata, role magic, fate, supernatural, dreaming play? Where find elements Islam epic? eference Book:
The supernatural, and all of its manifestations -- including magic, dreaming and fate -- play a highly substantial role in the plot of D.T. Niane's Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. This fact is due in part to this tale's continuance of the tradition of epic literature, in which heroes overcome tremendous odds that are fueled in no small part by the influence of gods, fate and supernatural forces. Yet Sundiata's very origin -- which was prophesized by a divine hunter in the court of his father, the king Nare Maghann Konate, as one who was fated for greatness -- underscores the reliance upon the supernatural that many of the events in the plot of this story hinge upon. In that respect, the supernatural (even in its manifestation in organized religion such as Islam) is the…...
mlaReferences
Niane, D.T. (1965). Sundiata: An Epic of Old Mali. Edinburgh Gate, Harlowe: Pearson Education Limited.
Reports of paranormal and supernatural activity are typically considered publicity tactics or exaggeration aimed at generating interest, particularly within the ‘millennial’ generation. Irrespective of the quantity of evidence available, there are several individuals who simply do not accept such tales; one can find only a scant number of people willing to accept such urban myths and anecdotes. But the Pennsylvanian Blair County and its Ghost Research Foundation recognize numerous haunted sites and accord them the status of ‘national museums’. The foundation focuses on exploring numerous haunted sites across Pennsylvania ("Discovering the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania Uncoveringpa"). Blair County’s key ‘haunted’ tourist spots are Altoona Railroaders Museum, Baker Mansion, and Mishler Theater. These three sites offer highly intriguing entertainment, particular in October and November. The abovementioned museums plan and arrange ghost haunt festivals to entice visitors. Halloween sees a huge inflow of tourists at these sites, seeking participation in their…...
mlaWork Cited
Clair, Mae. \\"Mythical Monday: The Ghosts of Baker Mansion by Mae Clair.\\" From the Pen of Mae Clair. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.\\"Discovering the Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona, Pennsylvania - Uncoveringpa.\\" UncoveringPA. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.\\"Mishler Theater.\\" Syfy. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.\\"Mishler Theatre Pennsylvania Pennsylvania USA – Haunted Discoveries – Your Paranormal | Haunted | Article Database | Join the Community.\\" Haunted-discoveries.co.uk. N.p., 2017. Web. 8 Nov. 2017.
Personal Experience With Supernatural Element
Haunting experiences in the modern society concentrate on the lively relationship between the ghosts in popular culture and in folklore. While popular culture greatly resembles folklore in that both depend on conventional genres, content and styles of communication, popular culture is distinguished by production of content for a mass audience while folklore is relayed intimately in small groups or via face-to-face interactions. The link between popular culture and folklore though less discussed and researched historically, it is no less significant. For example, one just has to consider the mass production of roadway ballads in the 18th and 19th centuries, and or the utilization of culture brokers throughout history (Goldstein, Grider and Thomas).
Folklores primarily debate past and current supernatural traditions across the globe, focusing on how these traditions relate to place, ritual, experience and narrative. For example, Europeans have explored whether fairies should be categorized as…...
mlaBibliography allconferences.com. 30 March 2014. 19 September 2015. Retrieved from: http://www.allconferences.com/c/folk-belief-and-traditions-of-the-supernatural-experience-place-ritual-and-narrative-lerwick-2014-march-25
Goldstein, Diane, Sylvia Grider and Jeannie Thomas. 2007.Haunting Experiences. Utah: Utah State University Press,
The Woman at the Door. 17 August 2015. 19 September 2015. Retrieved from: https://personalghoststories.wordpress.com/
In conclusion, Arabian Nights offers a glimpse into the reality of the Arabic world through the use of "magical realism," magic, and the supernatural. The Mohammedan faith of the Arabic world is implicit through much of the work -- and that insistence upon the supernatural plays a part in the overall theme and structure of the work. From such smaller tales as "The Ox and the Donkey" to such central tales as that of the king and Shahrazad, the theme of captivation and conquering through the use of spellbinding and magic, Arabian Nights shows how much faith the Arabic world had invested in such ideas. And the fact that Nights is still popular today shows how much we have too.
orks Cited
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment. New York, NY: Vintage Books, 2010.
Irwin, Robert. The Arabian Nights: a companion. New York, NY: Tauris Parke, 2005.
Lawall, Sarah [ed.]. The Norton Anthology of…...
mlaWorks Cited
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment. New York, NY: Vintage Books, 2010.
Irwin, Robert. The Arabian Nights: a companion. New York, NY: Tauris Parke, 2005.
Australia's Aboriginal Supernatural eliefs
The word 'aboriginal' means 'first' or 'earliest known' (Humphreys, p1).
The Australian Aborigines share a unique relationship with Earth Mother that is a "connection [going] back to the beginning of our existence and it brings with it a sense of responsibility and respect for the Earth Mother. Our people were expected to take care of our sacred Earth Mother; that was a responsibility given to us from time immemorial" (Earth, p1). This relationship with the earth is evident in many old religions, but the Aborigines could be considered the first, as there has been evidence of their existence in Australia almost 12,000 years before Europeans in Europe.
Aborigines believe the creation of the universe and all things within it happened during "Dreamtime" when "spirit ancestors wandered through the land, created the physical environment and landforms, gave life to plants, animals and humans and established the order - laws, customs…...
mlaBibliography
Experience Aboriginal Australia"
Australia
Australian Tourist Commission, 2003.
Ennis, D. Earth Mother and the people: The true meaning of aboriginal rights
There is no doubt in my mind that the farmer and the two state police troopers, all very credible witnesses, saw what they saw. It was not a hoax or figment of their imaginations. However, it is possible that they misinterpreted what they saw. During the 1950s the government said the UFO sightings were the result of swamp gas which rose and reflected lights and looked like images in the sky. Michigan is a wet land state. In addition to more than 10,000 small lakes there are thousands of swamps and marshes. It's possible that what they saw in the sky was a reflection of some natural phenomenon, like swamp gas, that configured itself to look like a flying saucer but wasn't really an object of "advanced technology."
Having said this, however, I must admit that the photo doesn't look anything like natural phenomenon. It looks manufactured and high tech. It…...
Essay Topic Examples
1. The Impact of aranormal Activity on Human sychology:
This essay could explore how experiences and beliefs in paranormal activities can influence an individual's psychological state. It can delve into various psychological effects ranging from fear and anxiety to comfort and hope, and how these experiences shape our understanding of the unknown.
2. Evaluating Evidence for aranormal henomena:
This topic would involve a critical examination of the evidence that has been put forth to support the existence of paranormal activities. The essay could analyze different types of evidence, such as anecdotal, photographic, or audio recordings, and discuss methodologies for investigating paranormal claims.
3. aranormal Activity and its Representation in opular Culture:
This essay would focus on how paranormal activity is depicted in movies, literature, and television, and how these representations influence public perception. It could discuss the psychological draw of paranormal themes and the balance between entertainment and misinformation.
4. Historical and Cultural erspectives…...
mlaPrimary Sources
Radin, Dean. \"The Conscious Universe: The Scientific Truth of Psychic Phenomena.\" HarperOne, 1997.
Roll, William G. \"The Poltergeist.\" Paraview Special Editions, 2004.Rogo, D. Scott. \"The Haunted Universe: A Psychic Look at Miracles, UFOs and Mysteries of Nature.\" Signet, 1977.Rhine, J.B. \"Extra-Sensory Perception After Sixty Years: A Critical Appraisal of the Research in Extra-Sensory Perception.\" Henry Holt, 1940.Targ, Russell, and Harold E. Puthoff. \"Mind-Reach: Scientists Look at Psychic Abilities.\" Delacorte Press, 1977.
Otherness" Quality of Gothic Fiction
Otherness in Wapole and Lewis
The construct of otherness is represented in Gothic fiction in three primary ways: (1) An underlying emphasis on the supernatural is a strong platform to presenting a sense of the other to readers. (2) Moreover, women are portrayed in a manner that characterizes them as being very different from men. (3) The behavior of the characters and the situations in which they find themselves and put themselves is profoundly different from the quotidian experiences of the readers, thereby imparting a separation between fiction and real life that comfortably maintains the characters in some kind of otherland.
The "Otherness" of the Supernatural
With his 1764 writing of the novel The Castle of Otranto, Horace Wapole is said to have invented the Gothic novel genre -- a classification that relies heavily on representation of the supernatural. In the minds of contemporary readers, supernatural being are…...
Supernatural in Renaissance Drama
There are things in heaven and earth, not dreamt of in the philosophy of Horatio, not simply in "Hamlet" but also in the "Midsummer's Night Dream" of Shakespeare, and the "Dr. Faustus" of Christopher Marlowe. But while all of these plays deal with the theme of human aspirations in a world with a permeable, rather than an impermeable wall between humanity and the supernatural, "Dr. Faustus" suggests that breaking down this wall is initially fun and playful, although it has dire consequences at the end for the play's protagonist. Marlowe's cartoon characters and images of conventional morality, combined with heightened language convey humor rather than horror, until Faustus is condemned to hell for all eternity. The even lighter "Midsummer's Night Dream" also suggests in its early language an initial playfulness for the human and supernatural lovers who engage in transgressing sensual activities. But this comedy set…...
mlaWorks Cited
Marlowe, Christopher. "Dr. Faustus." Text B. Edited by Hilary Binder. Tufts Classics Edition online. Last updated 2003. Retrieved from Perseus. Database at 8 December 2004 at layout=norm%3Dreg& query=act%3D%235http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.03.0011& ;
Shakespeare, William. "A Midsummer's Night's Dream." MIT Complete Shakespeare. Retrieved 8 Dec 2004 at http://www-tech.mit.edu
Shakespeare, William. "A Midsummer's Night's Dream." MIT Complete Shakespeare. Retrieved 8 Dec 2004 at
Navajo Indians
Navejo Indians
The Navajo Indians also referred to as Dine are semi-nomadic people. It is interesting to note that Navajo people are at times known as 'Holy Earth People (Iverson, 2002). This comes from their beliefs in supernatural beings as well as traditional practices of ritual songs and dance. Navajo people are found in north-eastern areas of Arizona and north-western region of New Mexico (Iverson, 2002) .the regions where the Navajo people live in arid and desert areas that have minimal rainfall. The Navajo people are highly family oriented people, and have a rich culture that is full of ceremonies and other traditions. This paper looks at the history of pastoralists of the Navajo people, their beliefs and religious practices and kinship, sickness and healing, which are important elements with the culture of Navajo people.
Pastoral ways
The traditions and practices of a society, which are to some level the outcome of…...
mlaReferences
Haile, B (1993). Origin Legend of the Navaho Enemy Way: Text and Translation. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Iverson, P. (2002). Dine: A History of the Navajo. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Kluckhohn, C and Leighton, D (1960). The Navaho. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Sander, D (1979). Navaho Symbols of Healing. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
Smith notes that it may be impossible to unequivocally prove something with one hundred percent accuracy; rather, scientists seek probability.
The term theory is often misconstrued: Smith states that "theories always explain facts." Moreover, there is no clear demarcation between a theory and a hypothesis. Theories are basically broad hypotheses. Laws, on the other hand, are more restrictive and are often derived from theories. The practice of science entails experimentation as well as presentation to the scientific community. When the research is presented to other scientists, it is usually done so through peer-reviewed journals. Often other scientists will critique and critically evaluate the scientific experiment and attempt to replicate it. When the experiment has been replicated the hypothesis may become part of the canon of established science and from there, common knowledge.
Because science can only deal with what is observable and measurable, it can not apply to philosophy, aesthetics, ethics,…...
mlaReference
Smith, David. "The Nature of Science."
supernatural elements of film and story can be both different and similar. Movies and novels that portray elements of horror and paranormal like ghosts and demons do so in a way that evokes suspense, fear, and a sense of surreal. The movie, The Sixth Sense, directed by M. Night Shyamalan and the novel, The Demonologist written by Andrew Pyper shows ghosts and the supernatural as a means of communication from the afterlife or "other side" and the waking life. Although The Sixth Sense focuses on ghosts and The Demonologist focuses on demons, the way in which the writer/director forms the story share similar concepts.
Pyper creates a protagonist in David who is a skeptic of the existence of the supernatural. As explained on page 7: "A demon expert who believes evil to be a manmade invention." (Pyper 7) His skepticism is born of that of never having truly witnessed an…...
mlaWorks Cited
Maloney, Susie. "The Demonologist: Part horror, part thriller, all page-turner." The Globe and Mail. N.p., 1 Mar. 2013. Web. 8 June 2014. .
Pyper, Andrew. Demonologist: A Novel. NYC: Simon & Schuster, 2013. Print.
The sixth sense. Dir. M. Night Shyamalan. Perf. Bruce Willis, Hayley Joel Osment. Hollywood Pictures Home Video;, 2000. Film.
In August Wilson’s Fences, the author explores several themes as they relate to the central themes of race, fatherhood, and manhood in the United States. One of the themes that he tackles is the concept of fate, though the approach is less about life being preordained as it is an examination of how history, social circumstances, and upbringing can combine to make some events appear preordained or fated rather than the intervention of some type of divine or supernatural fate. This contextual analysis of manhood in a political situation that seems designed to challenge it was explored by
Sure! Here are a few essay topics on Chaucer and Boccaccio:
1. Compare and contrast the storytelling techniques of Chaucer and Boccaccio in "The Canterbury Tales" and "The Decameron."
2. Analyze the portrayal of women in the works of Chaucer and Boccaccio. How do they challenge or reinforce traditional gender roles of their time?
3. Discuss the theme of social satire in the writing of Chaucer and Boccaccio. How do they use humor to critique society?
4. Explore the role of religion in the works of Chaucer and Boccaccio. How do they approach themes of faith, sin, and redemption?
5. Examine the influence of classical....
- The role of gender and masculinity in Macbeth
- The symbolism of blood in Macbeth
- The use of supernatural elements in Macbeth
- The portrayal of power and ambition in Macbeth
- The theme of guilt and conscience in Macbeth
- The significance of sleep and dreams in Macbeth
- The impact of betrayal and deception in Macbeth
- The portrayal of mental illness and madness in Macbeth
- The relationship between fate and free will in Macbeth
- The role of the supernatural witches in Macbeth
One lesser-known but interesting topic to consider exploring in an essay on Macbeth is the theme of equivocation. Equivocation is the....
Lesser-Known but Fascinating Macbeth Essay Topics
While topics such as guilt, fate, and the supernatural are often explored in Macbeth essays, there are a plethora of lesser-known yet equally intriguing aspects of the play that warrant examination. Here are a few suggestions:
1. The Significance of Sleep and Dreams
In Macbeth, sleep and dreams play a pivotal role in foreshadowing events, revealing characters' inner turmoil, and underlining the play's themes of guilt and madness. An essay could delve into the symbolism of sleep and dream sequences, their impact on character development, and how they contribute to the play's overall atmosphere of suspense and....
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