Pathetic Fallacy Examples In Macbeth Essay

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Individuals are commonly told to dress according to the weather. The significance of weather’s role in one's life is similar to weather's importance in literature. Authors frequently use pathetic fallacy to contribute or emphasize a certain aspect or theme. William Shakespeare's Macbeth highly incorporates pathetic fallacy. Shakespeare's use of pathetic fallacy contributes to the tragic plot of Macbeth as it foreshadows important events, mirrors society and develops the mood. Shakespeare aids readers in foreshadowing major events in Macbeth through incorporating pathetic fallacy. Majority of foreshadowing with pathetic fallacy occurs in the presence of minor characters. The witches, in particular, serve a great purpose in predetermining the fates of individuals due to their constant association with nature. For instance, nature's reactions in response to the witches, …show more content…

Throughout the play the mood is eerie and gloomy. At the commencement of the play, the mood is set up by Shakespeare's stage directions of thunder during the entrance of the witches. The recurring event of thunder along with the witches constantly brings upon a sense of gloom. The eeriness increases as the plot progresses. According to Macbeth, “Nature seems dead” (2.1.51). At this point in the play the story begins to worsen as Macbeth contemplates murdering Duncan. Nature’s personification of being dead along with the context of the scene emphasizes the dreariness in the atmosphere. The dark mood becomes increasingly clear when the entirety of Scotland is now upside down. Ross claims, “that darkness does the face of earth entomb” (2.4.9). The darkness which engulfs the world further contributes to the eerie atmosphere, contrasting it to the state of Scotland before Duncan's murder. Nature's contribution to the gloomy mood emphasizes Macbeth’s unfortunate story

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