Dramatic Effects in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Dramatic Effects in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

'Fair is foul and foul is fair' starts the play with an oxymoron, a

theme which is continued throughout. Using the witches at the

beginning of the play is also a contrasting idea, as they are evil and

initially Macbeth is an innocent being. Making the witches evil is a

dramatic effect, as Shakespeare could have made them seem nice and

that their intent was to help Macbeth, but by naming them 'weird

sisters' he gives them an air of mystery that changes the direction of

the play. If he had made them seem harmless then the audience would

have been surprised by their actions later in the play. James 1st, the

king at that time, would have been very happy about Shakespeare's use

of the 'evil' witches as he was sure that witches were out to get him

at this point in his life.

While the witches are giving the prophecies, Macbeth has a

subconscious intent, even if he does not know it yet but Banquo does

not believe them so easily. I think that is one of the reasons the

witches chose Macbeth and not Banquo, he does not have that ambition

inside him or the will to get what he was promised, which Macbeth

does. The language he uses shows this. 'I'th'name of truth are ye

fantastical, or that indeed which outwardly ye show.' Macbeth believes

that they are real straight away and it does not cross his mind that

they may be trying to trick him, but Banquo asks them as he is more

hesitant to believe them.

'Stay you imperfect speakers. Tell me more.' When he says this, it

shows that Macbeth is very curious and intrigued by what the witches

have said and that he is getting angry when they have left him wanting

more. You can already see the feeling of power that he has bubbling

inside of him this early in the play.

I think the battle at the beginning of the play was used to show how

brutal Macbeth could really be, even before he knew how he was going