Supernatural elements are of central significance in many of Shakespeare's plays, contributing to their dramatic power and intrigue. Ghosts haunt political spaces and internal psyches, witches foresee the future and disturb the present, fairies meddle with love and a magus conjures a tempest from the elements.

Shakespeare used to write for the stage and these characters from another world were so useful for creating on-stage effects which people of that time loved. Additionally, they provided support to the plot.