Use Of Pathos In Macbeth

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In the story Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth, the instigator, employs motivational techniques on Macbeth, the would-be murderer, and later on, Macbeth, the instigator, uses persuasive techniques on the first and second murderers. In both scenes, the instigator uses ethos, pathos, and logos. In Act 1, Scene 7, Macbeth backs out of the plan to kill Duncan, so Lady Macbeth responds, “As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that / Which thou esteem’st the ornament of life, / And live a coward in thine own esteem, / Letting “I dare not” wait upon “I would,” / Like the poor cat i' th' adage?” (I.VII.45-49). Lady Macbeth uses pathos to compare Macbeth to a poor cat in an old story, which makes him emotionally upset. Macbeth responds …show more content…

In Act 3, Scene 1, Macbeth uses pathos when explaining how Banquo makes both his life and their lives hell. To persuade the murderers, he says, “Have you considered of my speeches? Know / That it was he, in the times past, which held you … Who wrought with them, and all things else that might / To half a soul and to a notion crazed / Say, ‘Thus did Banquo’” (III.I.83-93). Macbeth uses pathos to tell the murderers that Banquo had deceived all three of them by working against them. Macbeth tells them that by killing Banquo, they will not suffer anymore. Macbeth then starts comparing dogs to men, where he uses ethos, and that, “All by the name of dogs. The valued file / Distinguishes the swift, the slow, the subtle, / The housekeeper, the hunter, every one / According to the gift which bounteous nature / Hath in him closed, whereby he does receive / Particular addition, from the bill / That writes them all alike. And so of men” (III.I.107-113). Macbeth builds his credibility with the murderers by saying that all dogs are different, as well as men. He then continues to talk about the plan, which will help them get rid of Banquo once and for all. However, the tone and style of the message are what makes him truly persuasive. Macbeth is very determined when speaking to the murderers, even when they tell him (at the beginning of the conversation) that they do not want to partake in this heinous

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