Use Of Syntax In Macbeth

In Act 4 scene 1 of Shakespeare’s Macbeth Shakespeare explains lies and deception through Macbeth's soliloquy which states Macbeth will do anything and everything to hold the throne. Shakespeare’s purpose is to call attention to the major themes of deception and lies through Macbeth’s actions. He creates a paranoiac tone in order to show the audience what these themes influence. He does this using symbolic diction, basic diction, and choppy syntax. Shakespeare uses syntax to convey a paranoiac tone through Macbeth's radical plans. In the line, “The very firstlings of my heart shall be/ The firstlings of my hand” Shakespeare displays this paranoid tone through the basic, short syntax (4.1.153-154). The short, choppy syntax shows the immediate desire to execute his basic desire. This syntax emphasizes that Macbeth will simply do whatever it takes to hold his throne while having no remorse. This idea displays Macbeth's paranoia and adds to the paranoiac tone that is created. Shakespeare also discloses this idea through Macbeth again when saying, “be it thought and/ done:” (4.1.155-156). This sentence also uses the same short, brief and basic syntax to convey the emphasize the same idea that if …show more content…

“To crown my thoughts with acts” (4.1.155). The use of the word crown represents a noble thought. However in Macbeth, the crown was taken with murder and plopped upon Macbeth's undeserving head. So, in this context the crown is an evil, greed driven object creating the paranoia and adding to the paranoiac tone created within this soliloquy. The phrase “be it thought and /done” uses simple diction to convey this tone (4.1.155-156). The phrase uses extremely simple words like thought and done to express pure purpose without any other intent. It adds to the paranoiac tone because thinking and doing the first of your mind no matter what to hold a position of king suggests paranoia and the fear of an