Friday, January 25, 2013

A Paranormal Romance Author's Opinion on Macbeth

As Part of the Romance Madness Blog Hop, I wanted to kick it up a notch... And what is more Mad and centered on the Paranormal than Shakespeare's Macbeth?

Hello Hoppers!

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Paranormal Literature has been alive and well for centuries, take for example, Shakespeare's Macbeth.  In the play, a trio of witches tells Macbeth that he will be king.  In effect, they set off a rollarcoaster of horrific murders and an bloody path to power. 
These three witches play an important role in perpetuating the hero in his role of becoming the antagonist.  (What an amazing thought--though I'm afraid romance readers would not enjoy a hero who becomes the villian--or would they?)
A simply question could be asked--Did the witches cause his descent into madness or was their prophecy only a foretelling of things to come into his life? 
In my humble opinion, I believe that they perpetuated the effects.  They set his murderous rampage into action.  He tells Lady Macbeth about the prophecy--in effect furthing the ego behind the witches words.  Freud actually likened Macbeth to the three aspects of personality: selfish instincts (his desire to become king), realistic thinking (the belief he must kill to fulfill prophecy), and moralistic conscious (the fact that he knows his actions are deplorable).  Yet, thanks to Lady Macbeth, he is spurned on to take continuing action because people, by nature, are suggestable--and, for him, pressure is coming from every angle--fate, marriage, internal choice and a fear of failure.   
"Stars, hide your fires!
Let not light see my black and deep desires."
--Macbeth, Act I, scene IV
 
As an author of paranormal romance, I am of the school of thought that men are often predictable because of their desire to please, their drive for power, and their susceptability to public opinion. Yet, I like to hold out hope that the characters I write will not be like Macbeth--I write dark fiction, but the shadows I create are often killed by the light. 
What do you think? Do you think that the witches have planted the thought and causes action?  Or do you think Macbeth would have acted on his own freewill without the witches prophecy?  Why?
 
"Out, damn'd spot! out, I say!—One; two: why, then
'tis time to do't.—Hell is murky."
- Macbeth, Act  V, scene I

 
About Danica Winters:
 
Danica Winters is a bestselling author who is known for writing award-winning books that grip readers with their ability to drive emotion through suspense and often a touch of magic.  She is also the Marketing and Promotions Manager for Books To Go Now publishing.  When she’s not working she can be found in the wilds of Montana working on her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery and painting are not her thing).  She always believe the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
Books by Danica Winters:
 
An Angel’s Justice
 
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4 comments:

  1. Hi hotcha :) thank you for stopping by! And thank you for the compliment. Danica

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  2. Hi Damica,
    OMG, you are so right. Shakespeare's Macbeth did have paranormal elements in it and it can be seen as a forefather of paranormal fiction. I never thought about that and it's not something I learned in school where I first read Macbeth. I have to wonder how many modern day paranormal books can be considered good literature? Thanks for opening my mind :)

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  3. Thanks for a fascinating post - personally I think Macbeth had his future actions planted in his mind by the three witches and once the prophesy was made, he felt he had no option but to fulfill it.

    Lyn@hywelalyn.co.uk

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