Literary Devices used in Macbeth Imagine how dull a Shakespearean play would be without the ingenious literary devices and techniques that contribute so much to the fulfillment of its reader or viewer. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that combines fact and legend to tell the story of an eleventh century king. Shakespeare uses numerous types of literary techniques to make this tragic play more appealing. Three literary devices that Shakespeare uses to make Macbeth more interesting and effective are irony, symbolism, and imagery. One technique that Shakespeare uses is irony. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means the opposite. When a reader understands the irony of what a character is saying, then …show more content…
Irony, a key element to a tragic play like Macbeth, has the ability to make the tragic hero appear more villainous or the down-fall seem even more tragic. The second type of literary device that Shakespeare uses in Macbeth is symbolism. The predominant symbol is blood and is used as an effective method to describe the theme of the play. Not only does blood symbolize bravery, it is also a means of showing treachery and treason and probably most importantly, guilt. One example of bravery occurs when the captain says, "For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name--/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/Which smoked with bloody execution"(1.2.16-18). Soon after this blood changes into a representation of treachery and treason. Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to "Make thick my blood,/ Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse" (1.5. 43-44). She asks the spirits to take away compassion and make her remorseless for the actions she is about to take. Also, when Ross asks, "Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?" (2.4.22), he tries to figure out who performed the disloyal act of murdering the king. Blood is also used many times to express the guilt-ridden consciences of the characters. For instance, Macbeth says, "What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine own eyes!/ Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash the blood/ Clean from my hand?" (2.3.58-60). Macbeth obviously feels guilty for killing Duncan in cold blood. Later in the play, Lady Macbeth
Shakespeare uses verbal irony to add humor to the story. For instance Juliet was already married
In William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", manipulation is a very effective device. The main character Macbeth is a puppet controlled by the words coming from the three witches and Lady Macbeth. The four troublemakers provide Macbeth with the motivation and confidence he needs to kill Duncan and perform other dark actions. Macbeth is very ambitious; there’s no doubt about this. However, there is no sign of him changing from a loyal man to a power hungry man. That is until outside influences begin to interfere with his life. The people with the greatest impact on Macbeth are his wife, Lady Macbeth and the witches. However, he then learns to manipulate others himself. In the end, all the treachery is revealed and he realizes
Without literary techniques most literature would be colorless. Therefore these techniques are very crucial in producing successful writing. Not only do they create interest, they also help in development of characters, this is especially depicted in the Shakespearean play, Macbeth. The characters developed from the different literary techniques such as irony, paradox, and imagery assist in conveying the many themes throughout the play.
In relation, Shakespeare uses characters in order to raise the appeal of themes being presented. A character which has the largest influence on the play is Macbeth. Macbeth is someone who is tortured by the pain of the words of those around him. Macbeth is influenced heavily by the three witches who prophesize that he is going to
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses many symbols. All through the play there are several symbols used to emphasize guilt, fear, horror, greed, and good and evil. Shakespeare uses light and dark to represent good and evil, blood to represent murder, guilt, and pain, and water to represent the removal of guilt and peace and cleansing. But the symbol blood is used more often and is a representation of their guilt and the conscience of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The imagery of blood always haunts their minds and also reflects the changes that happen in their characters. In the beginning of play blood was seen as a positive thing but after the murders it is related to evil. In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses the imagery
Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare uses blood imagery to develop a foil between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. In the play, blood symbolizes the guilt that the characters have. After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth says, “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas in incarnadine,/ Making the green one red¨ (2.2).
Overall, the blood in this play is depicted as a means for the guilt from which the characters feel. Imagery of blood is used many times during the play, aside from the instances that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth use it to depict their guilt that they have. Macbeth was considered a hero before he plotted his fiendish actions to become king, as he was credited with defeating King of Norway in a bloody battle. In fact, Macbeth “ne’er shook hands nor bade farewell to him, till he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops, and fixed his head upon our battlements,” (1.2.21-23). Macbeth was very gory with his killing as he cut his enemy, Macdonwald, from his bellybutton to his jaw, and placed his head on top of their battlement. Blood plays a much larger role in this play, as it is an underlying factor to Macbeth’s self. The basis of his character is a bloody, war hero; therefore why should his life outside of battle be any different. Since Macbeth’s entrance into the play was about blood, his exit shall be as well. He foreshadows his own demise as he says, “It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak. Augurs and understood relations have by magot pies and choughs and rooks brought forth,” (3.4.124-128). Macbeth knows that he will not get away with his murder of Duncan and Banquo. Once blood has been shed, the murder victim will seek to expose his murderer, thus finding Macbeth guilty. He knows that he cannot keep what he has done a secret forever, thus is blood must fall in order to avenge the deaths he has taken. The imagery of blood is present throughout the play to examine the guilt that Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel, but also to provide a higher meaning to the context of the character that Macbeth is and the way that karma
In the play “Macbeth “ written by William Shake-sphere in the 1600’s contains powerful words. Words that bring forth so much imagery and the life to the play. For instance the play “Macbeth” opens up with three witches conjuring on a health amidst thunder lightening, “ fog and flithily air” and then proceed to throw around sinister prothesis, so therefore that is setting the tone of the play is a dark and foreboding play. In addition to that pervious quote shows imagery. Genre, a category of autistic composition as in music or literature characterized by similarities in form , style , or subject matter.
It is impossible to live on without experiencing the art of inspirational classic novels. Macbeth by William Shakespeare tells of a brave Scottish general, who receives a prophecy from three Witches. He learns that someday his title, Thane of Glamis, will become King of Scotland. The lust for authority and the influence of his wife, Lady Macbeth, triggers the urge to rid King Duncan. By succeeding this plan, Macbeth ensures that his given prophecy will come true.
Shakespeare used this literary technique to allow
State a conflict that you see present in Macbeth (please refer to the (List of conflicts). Respond to one of the following and provide specific textual examples: Describe two key literary techniques and elements of drama that aid in developing the conflict. Explain how the conflict identified in the play related to human nature and the human condition.
William Shakespeare is known for his expert use of literary devices to emphasize both theme and character in his plays, the play Macbeth being no exception. The soliloquy orated by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth from Act 3 Scene 2 Lines 47 - 58 utilise two such devices, dramatic irony and pathetic fallacy. These devices bode well with the speech in the context of the scene in which Macbeth foreshadows the death of Banquo and Fleance to Lady Macbeth and draws comparisons between himself and the dark and brooding aspects of the night. Through the clever use of these, the reader is able to better understand the emotions that are conveyed in the scene and allow for a deeper analysis of Macbeth’s changing character, as well as the themes of ambition, cruelty
In the dramatic play of, “ The Tragedy of Macbeth,” written by William Shakespeare, the tragedy is set around the 11th Century, in Scotland and England, where a young nobleman, named Macbeth, is foreshadowed to be a king, and soon becomes a reality by going on a hunt for power and control in his kingdom. Shakespeare creates the play using various forms of literary elements, which benefit in impacting the reader with the theme of the play. Many forms that are used throughout the play include, foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and Macbeth’s aside’s and soliloquys that are spoken through his fateful journey for king.
The story of Macbeth written by the infamous William Shakespeare is an excellent storyline known and taught as a great piece of literature. Even after the creation of this tale almost 400 years ago, this wonderful written work is still admired and known all over the world. It is an adventure of a noble and truthful hero who is overcome by the lust for power and by greed. His aroused hunger for authority and supremacy leads to him losing his path and turning to the way of malice. The play progresses, as this character plays deeper and deeper into Satan’s evil hand. Through the growth of this malevolent character, the story grows and develops as well. Each and every move this
Sin was symbolized by blood throughout the play by representing the evil qualities of certain characters in the play, and the passing on of blame from the guilty to the innocent. In Macbeth, blood was quite literally a symbol of evil qualities, because in the Elizabethan Era, people believed that those who had thick blood running through their veins were ruthless and merciless people. When Lady Macbeth was plotting out Duncan?s murder, she called upon the devil so that he could ?Make thick my blood, Stop up the access and passage to remorse.? (I. v. 46-47). The transfer of blame from the guilty to the innocent was also symbolized by blood in the play when Lady Macbeth smeared Duncan?s blood on the guards? hands. One instance of the passing on of guilt during the play was when Lady Macbeth told her husband to, ?Go carry them, and smear The sleepy grooms with blood?For it must seem their guilt.? (II. ii. 58-59 + 68). The image of evil qualities and transferring blame was significant in Macbeth, and Shakespeare chose to use blood in