A literary device is a method used by authors to convey their message through their writing. An example of a literary device is imagery. In literature, imagery enhances the visualization experience for the reader, as well as paints a picture in the reader’s mind full of places, colors, expressions, and textures. Imagery is used in numerous pieces to give visual aid to the reader, and serves the purpose to appeal to sensory experiences-real or unreal. By provoking certain emotions or feelings, the reader can relate to the characters and plot easier, resulting in a better understanding of the piece. Of the many emotions and feelings that can result from imagery, one of the most common emotions is guilt. When one realizes or believes that they have violated their moral standards, a feeling of remorse clouds one. This emotion is guilt-a feeling that humans experience at least once in their life. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, the reoccurring motif of blood is used as a symbol to demonstrate that guilt causes emotional turmoil within the characters, ultimately leading to their complete transformation into evilness.
Macbeth, a, brave and noble warrior, begins his descent into evilness when he murders King Duncan, in his attempt to fulfill the prophecy that he will someday become King. Macbeth was not always a murderer, and in the beginning of the play, he is known as a heroic fighter on the battlefield, as well as a loyal friend to King Duncan. It is only after Macbeth meets the three evil witches and learns about his future, that Macbeth starts his transformation and murders anyone in his way as he starts to spiral into evilness. This is evident when Macbeth devises a plan to kill King Duncan, ...
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... guilt stems from the reoccurring motif of blood, which aids in Macbeth’s spiral to evilness since it is used as a symbol to demonstrate that guilt causes emotional turmoil within the main character, Macbeth. This emotional turmoil ultimately leads to Macbeth’s complete transformation into evilness. Macbeth achieves his goal to become ruler, but then uses his power selfishly and kills those close to him.
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Shakespeare, William. Tragedy of Macbeth . Ed. Barbara Mowat and Paul Warstine. New York: Washington Press, 1992.
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Shakespeare, William. Tragedy of Macbeth . Ed. Barbara Mowat and Paul Warstine. New York: Washington Press, 1992.
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Macbeth takes his first step toward becoming evil when he is confronted with the knowledge that he will be king. When the witches tell him "All hail, Macbeth! that shalt be king thereafter!" he makes the mistake of letting his ambition overrule his judgment. If his judgment had remained intact in the face of the witches' powerful prophecy, he certainly would have decided not to let his actions be dictated by a prophecy given to him by three strange witches who evade most of the questions he asks. With great trepidation and considerable pressure from Lady Macbeth, he commits his second mistake by proceeding to murder King Duncan. Driven by a persecution complex that starts with the knowledge that Banquo is meant to be the f...
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