Usage of abstruse language in texts, especially those of Old English, is very common and manipulated to advance plots and character development. This is no different in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, as equivocation, language used to conceal truths and to avoid exposure, is cast by many characters in the play. Whether it is confessing a murder or signaling danger, the characters that bring this story to life are not seen to “tell it like it is,” in most cases. The play drips with equivocation as it is used to explain the personalities of the wicked, such as the three witches and Lady Macbeth, and show the motives of power that possess Macbeth until his death.
Foul deeds played a huge part in the story of Macbeth, and when the characters would allude to these actions, they would always present them in obscure manners. For instance, the Three Witches, were the biggest source of examples for equivocation within the story. They acted in lore, the Three Witches stating to Macbeth, “All hail Macbeth to the, Thane of Glamis! All hail, Macbeth, hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter! (Shakespeare 15)” At this point in time, Macbeth didn’t even know he was to be the Thane of Cawdor, but the witches also alluded to him being the King, representing that the death of the King was near, but Macbeth, so taken back by the wild statements, did not catch this detail, wrapped within the cryptic speech, no less that he would cause that death. The most powerful
Usually this occurs because Macbeth transitions from logical explanations (logos), to emotional ones (pathos). Shakespeare uses irony to explain how by killing King Duncan, they will be inadvertently putting their own lives at risk. When I read the line “returns to plague the inventor” I put a hand on my heart to symbolize my own mortality. In the metaphor of the poisoned chalice, I brought out the word “commends” because it is a strong verb choice that clearly articulates his point. Once again, Macbeth dives into a reassuring tone at “He’s here in double trust”, and is similar to the planning as in the beginning. This time it is an appeal to ethos, because he states his credibility as a kinsman, subject, and host, all reasons not to kill Duncan. A second realization happens when he says the phrases “so meek” and “so clear”, as he remembers that Duncan is a decent person, not someone he should hurt. He uses a simile when he says, “his virtues will plead like angels”, which I used as a cue to put emphasis and gradually get louder. This demonstrates an increase of anger, and pathos. Another rhetorical strategy used is hyperbole, where Shakespeare is using heightened, complex language to display Macbeth’s madness. He speaks of “heaven’s cherubim”, “trumpet tonged” angels, and “sightless couriers”, which were all slightly emphasized to indicate anger, frustration, and annoyance with the probable consequences.
Shakespeare's tragedy, Macbeth, is a play that transcends time due to its timeless and universal themes. The themes presented in this play are just as relevant to modern audiences as they would have been to contemporary Elizabethan audiences. The play has been able to maintain its textual integrity, withstanding the fact that it is now performed out of its original context to remain a successful play for modern audiences. The issues of heroism, abuse of power and the deceptiveness of appearances are all key within the play, conveyed through the use of dramatic and literary techniques, are issues which still resonate with contemporary audiences. Shakespeare has tested the parameters of the conventional tragedy that was extremely popular during his lifetime and in doing so has created text, which is still relevant today.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a selfish Scottish thane becomes over-ambitious and commits several murders in order to gain and stay in power. After the murders, Macbeth evades suspicion by hiding his guilt and intentions, therefore deceiving others into thinking that he is innocent. Other characters including Lady Macbeth, the witches and the Scottish thanes also use their appearances to hide the truth and deceive others. With these examples, Shakespeare shows that appearances can be deceiving.
In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the theme of equivocation to effectively illustrate the evil nature of the witches. Equivocation is the use of ambiguous expressions in order to mislead. The prophecies of the witches play a mischief in this play, as they are a form of deception that at times use vague language to dodge an issue. The three influential prophecies, which the witches make in this play, are that the protagonist Macbeth will become the king of Scotland, Banquo will be the father of the king of Scotland, and Macbeth will not be killed until the Birnam wood moves to Dunsinane hill. The sources of these prophecies are the witches who put together the devious words into Macbeth 's mind, which demonstrates
Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ is about the leading male protagonist succumbing to his ambition and need for power. Though Macbeth is liable for his own actions, he is not solely responsible for the events that eventually result in his downfall. Macbeth is corrupted by his wife, Lady Macbeth, as well as the three weird sisters. Macbeth’s contribution towards his downfall is his strong ambitious nature. Lady Macbeth is the person who induces Macbeth to assassinate King Duncan. The three weird sisters (witches) play with Macbeth’s ambitious nature and sense of security. Macbeth’s downfall is due to himself and two external factors.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a single word can connote a range of meanings, including some that are even contradictory. For example, the word “sleep” suggests meanings that are nearly opposite: sleep is associated with innocence and peaceful rest on the one hand, but also nightmares and death on the other. While the word rarely appears in Acts 3 and 4, where the characters are involved in action, it appears often in Acts 1, 2 and 5, when characters observe the consequences of their actions. In Macbeth, the meaning of sleep is shaped not only by the context, but also by the character who speaks the word or is associated with it. Characters’ use of the word “sleep” can provide
In William Shakespeare 's play, Macbeth, the theme of ambiguity and equivocation stands our quite clearly. The Oxford definition of equivocation is: use of ambiguity to conceal the truth '. Macbeth 's voluntary misinterpretation of the ambiguity and equivocation of the witches relates to the play 's theme. After the first of the witches ' prophecies comes true, Macbeth begins to believe in their truth. However, he also believes that the prophecies must all lead to his enrichment and empowerment. The use of equivocation in Macbeth also incorporates a sub-theme of appearance versus reality and the powers of evil. In the end, he twists the witches ' words to fit his own purposes, ignoring the possibility that the prophecies might have
trouble of killing Duncan to become king, thinking it would be the best thing in the
In his play Macbeth, William Shakespeare utilizes syntax to reveal Macbeth's interest in the witches' predictions, causing the audience to think that he trusts the witches. While speaking to the witches, Macbeth speaks in both imperative and interrogative sentences. Speaking in imperative sentences demonstrates Macbeth's urgency by commanding the witches to stay, while speaking in interrogative sentences reveals his curiosity about what the witches have already told him. In the beginning of the passage, Macbeth states, "Stay, you imperfect speakers. Tell me more," indicating that he is intrigued by the witches' predictions and wishes for them to continue speaking to him about what may happen in the future (1.3.68). This leads the audience to
The Cover Up What measures does one resort to when they decide to betray and kill someone whom they were loyal to for many years? Would they simply face the ramifications associated with treachery or would they do anything in their will to lie, cheat, and steal their way out to reach power? This is exactly what the soon to be king of Scots, Macbeth does in his famous speech presented in Act 2, Scene 3, lines 96-106. Throughout the speech, he is essentially putting on a huge faked façade for why he killed the framed guards. Macbeth exemplifies his love for Duncan by tricking the other characters into thinking he killed the guards out of pure rage.
It is human nature to be intrigued by all things mystical and dangerous. We fear the unknown but seek it nonetheless out of greed. Most of Shakespeare’s works hold an element of the supernatural and the play Macbeth is no exception. In this play we see a contemporary morality that warns of the dangers of trafficking with instruments of darkness; the witches in the play prophesize of Macbeths future as king, and Macbeth blinded by his hunger for power fails to recognize that the witches prophecies are luring him to evil . In act 1 scène 3 we see the effect that the excitement of the prophecies has had on his imagination as he begins to contemplate murdering the king. As Macbeth gets closer to
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Macbeth must separate his fate from the supernatural. Shakespeare uses poetic language along with vivid descriptions to set his scene. Attitude is not only represented by the characters’ actions, but also by descriptions of light and darkness in the play. An analysis of the dark in addition light language reveals a rift between the two: light language is used during revelations and dark language is used during times of secrecy.
The story of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a classic one of betrayal and destiny. One of the major themes of the play is the use of equivocation to create ambiguity. The definition of equivocation from the Oxford dictionary is: the use of ambiguous language to conceal the truth or to avoid committing oneself; prevarication. The very definition of equivocation contains the use of ambiguity, thus making the two very connected in terms of the story of the play. Equivocation is used multiple times throughout the piece to create a sense of uncertainty, which in turn makes the reader not sure of what will happen next. This makes the reading of the play very compelling. Shakespeare uses equivocation to make the reader think one thing,
In the play “Macbeth”, William Shakespeare uses belief in the existence and power of witches to create and influence the audience’s understanding of the play. Our initial impression of Macbeth is one of a brave and capable warrior, however once we see his interaction with the three “evil sisters” (Shakespeare, 1996) we realises that his physical audacity is coupled by an intense amount of ambition and self doubt. It is believed that the witches are the motive behind this ambition which eventually leads to his tragedy, however strong diverging arguments are in existence. The intensity of Macbeth’s tragedy is dependent on whether or not the witches are “professed to be able to control the naïve, innocent Macbeth” or whether he is to blame
In perhaps the most pivotal scene in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth’s motives are truly revealed in her manipulation of Macbeth to show how humans have a desire for power and once they get a taste of it, they will go through any lengths to have it, no matter the effect on others. Her lust for power is showcased through how she persuades Macbeth by insulting his masculinity and using emotive language to counter his logical reasoning. This section of the play illustrates the tipping point of each character’s morality with Macbeth having second thoughts about the planned murder and Lady Macbeth diving straight in.