Literary Techniques in Macbeth
In the tragedy Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, there are multiple instances where events are seldom what they seem. The ideas of equivocation and contradiction stem from Shakespeare’s very own life. Some of these contradictions include how little education he had in England as an adolescent, yet he is now considered one of the most renowned writers of all time. In addition, in his youth his father was a glover but years later became a high government figure. Shakespeare wrote about the notion of contradictions in many of his plays, but especially in Macbeth. Shakespeare’s use of equivocation and paradox in Macbeth originates from the prophecies told by the Weird Sisters, his own mental ambivalence to kill King Duncan, and Macduff’s opinion that Macbeth was the au courant King of Scotland.
The prophesies of the Weird Sisters’ speeches are full of paradox and equivocations, starting with their statement made in the beginning of the play that “fair is foul and foul is fair.” (I.i.12). The witches’ prophesies are equivocal, and the alliteration used with rhymed couplets subsidize the bewilderment in their words. As author William Preston Johnstone states, “It
Beginning with the Weird Sisters in the very first scene of Macbeth, equivocation and paradox in all its forms, whether the incomprehensible speech of the witches or unnatural murder, is woven into the fabric of this play. All of these examples contribute to the overall theme of the play; the use of paradox and equivocation gives the reader a sense of appreciation of Shakespeare’s techniques as a world-renowned playwright. did i answer the question about if the examples contribute to the overall theme of the
Weller, Philip. Macbeth Navigator: Themes: Equivocation. Internet WWW page, at URL: <http://www.clicknotes.com/macbeth/Equiv.html> (version current as of March 5, 2000)
Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare illustrates Macbeth’s journey to becoming a ruthless and tyrannical man who will do anything and everything to gain more power. Macbeth’s actions of killing prove Machiavelli’s theory that men are cowardly and dishonest, which leads those similar to Macbeth, to believe being feared is safer than being loved. Macbeth has demonstrated Machiavelli’s theory by his actions of murder and betrayal towards individuals, such as Banquo, under his ruling. Macbeth believes that being feared is safer than loved by his people, which causes citizens under his ruling to think he is a bad king. Since individuals believe Macbeth is a negligent king due to his cowardly and dishonest actions, individuals won’t put their trust or
Macbeth rejects conformation to traditional gender roles in its portrayal of Lady Macbeth’s relationship with her husband, her morals and their effect on her actions, and her hunger for power. Her regard for Macbeth is one of low respect and beratement, an uncommon and most likely socially unacceptable attitude for a wife to have towards her spouse at the time. She often ignores morality and acts for the benefit of her husband, and subsequently herself. She is also very power-hungry and lets nothing stand in the way of her success. Lady Macbeth was a character which challenged expectations of women and feminism when it was written in the seventeenth century.
In the early 1600’s, William Shakespeare penned an Aristotelian tragedy ‘Macbeth’ which provides his audiences both then and now with many valuable insights and perceptions into human nature. Shakespeare achieves this by cleverly employing many dramatic devices and themes within the character of ‘Macbeth’. Macbeth is depicted as an anti-hero; a noble protagonist with a tragic flaw that leads to his downfall. This tragic flaw of Macbeth’s, heavily laden with the themes of ‘fate or free will’, and ‘ambition’, is brought out by Shakespeare in his writing to present us with a character whose actions and final demise are, if not laudable, very recognisable as human failings.
While in Hamlet and others of Shakespeare's plays we feel that Shakespeare refined upon and brooded over his thoughts, Macbeth seems as if struck out at a heat and imagined from first to last with rapidity and power, and a subtlety of workmanship which has become instructive. The theme of the drama is the gradual ruin through yielding to evil within and evil without, of a man, who, though from the first tainted by base and ambitious thoughts, yet possessed elements in his nature of possible honor and loyalty. (792)
service had been done four times over, it still would not do honor to the
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon in 1564. One of the most influential writers of all time, still remembered today for his enigmatic plays. The zeitgeist of England in the 17th century did nothing but intensify his success. In an age of acute paranoia and a morbid fascination surrounding the supernatural, plays like Macbeth' were the forbidden fruit craved for by the public of that era. Also as feminism was yet to be invented Macbeth' was also controversial in relation to the character of Lady Macbeth, and her almost masculine temperament. In a time where men were the dominant gender, Lady M's domineering character was intriguing. Shakespeare's plays are grouped into three categories; histories, tragedies and comedies. Macbeth is ultimately a tragedy. He was thought to have written The Scottish Play' for King James I, who had a personal interest in witchcraft and the supernatural. In this essay I intend to explore Macbeth and Lady Macbeths fall from grace and the deterioration of their relationship throughout the play.
In the written text, Shakespeare emphasis's the hidden reality through the use of dramatic techniques of imagery and symbolism. There is a constant use of light and dark imagery which is used by the protagonist , MAC...
This line ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair,’ is important to the play Macbeth. When the
Act I of Shakespeare’s Macbeth serves as the beginning and exposition for the story to come, a tragedy filled with deceit and dishonor. This is made clear through the introduction of the titular character, Macbeth himself, and the dichotomy that develops within him. Before Macbeth ever enters the act, he is spoken of by a Scottish captain as among the bravest and most valuable soldiers in the army under King Duncan. After hearing of this account, Duncan has the utmost respect for Macbeth, exclaiming that he is “smack of honor” (ii. 61) and rewarding his courage with the title of Thane of Cawdor. At this point in the play, Macbeth is not only appears as a noble and worthy subject, but every indication suggests that this is the reality of his
Shakespeare uses equivocation not to confuse but to either get across multiple meanings or to leave dialogue and events in the play open ended. Equivocation can be seen with the witches and whenever they talk. The witches are themselves a vague set of characters who talk in a puzzling riddle-like manner. For instance when Macbeth goes to see them for the second time they are very vague about predicting his future, intentionally confusing him and making him overly confident. An example of this riddled dialogue goes like this:
A standout amongst the most vital subjects in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare originates from one of the last lines in Act 1, Scene 1 of the play. The three witches talk this straightforward line 'Reasonable is foul, and foul is reasonable,' presently before they scatter and it turns into a prediction and a hidden cautioning for whatever is left of the play. The undertones of this one line winds up noteworthy as the play unfurls starting even with Macbeth's feelings toward the start of the story and enduring all through the play with the consistent repeating topics of trickiness, doing abhorrent for the sake of good. In any case, that these are just misleading statements and notwithstanding when the witches uncover to Macbeth the nebulous visions and predictions; 'Be careful Macduff;' that 'none of lady conceived might hurt Macbeth;' and that 'Macbeth should never vanquished be until the point when extraordinary BirnamWood to high Duns foolish
As with all great works of literature, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth has spawned countless essays concerning its interpretation. Two such essays, “Shakespearean Tragedy” and “General Macbeth,” produced by two eminent literary critics, A.C. Bradley and Mary McCarthy, find themselves in conflict. The essays’ respective authors diverge on subjective points such as interpretation of character, original intent, and meaning. Bradley’s Macbeth is courageous and encumbered by the dregs of guilt, while McCarthy’s version takes a less orthodox path. A.C. Bradley’s interpretation of Macbeth finds him human, conflicted, and comparable to his wife, Lady Macbeth, in many respects.
Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” explores a fundamental struggle of the human conscience. The reader is transported into the journey of a man who recognizes and acknowledges evil but still succumbs to its destructive powers. The character of Macbeth is shrouded in ambiguity that scholars have claimed as both being a tyrant and tragic hero. Macbeth’s inner turmoil and anxieties that burden him throughout the entire play evoke sympathy and pity in the reader. Though he has the characteristics of an irredeemable tyrant, Macbeth realizes his mistakes and knows there is no redemption for his sins. And that is indeed tragic.
This specific action consequently resulted in Macbeth’s level of morality to continually decline as he is acutely aware of his own tyranny. Therefore Macbeth attempts to forget the horrific deed he has committed and be the figure that orders and disorders. Our perception of Macbeth being a wise and loyal soldier is now eroded, as we start to view Macbeth constantly questioning his own actions, and is also impelled to perpetrate further atrocities with the intention of covering up his previous wrong-doings.