Shakespeare uses many structural and language techniques throughout his play Macbeth to enhance his messages of power, love, ambition and disloyalty. To intensify these messages he incorporates the use of imagery, specifically through the use animals, blood and clothes, as well as dramatic irony, which is shown especially through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Shakespeare’s use of the weather is also another crucial technique used to convey the messages.
The imagery used in Macbeth helps to illustrate the underlying messages surrounding the characters. The use of blood, especially surrounding Lady Macbeth and Macbeth helps to explain to the audience some of the emotions both of these characters are feeling. An example of this is in act 5, scene
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During Act 1, scene 2 when the soldier says ‘As sparrows, eagles, or the hare, the lion’, he is speaking about Macbeth and Banquo. This use of imagery illustrates that just like an eagle can easily defeat a sparrow, or a lion could easily defeat a hare, Macbeth and Banquo can easily defeat their opponents. Eagles and lions are known for being strong, fierce, scary animals, unlike sparrows and hares, which are known for being weak and small. This comparison of Macbeth and Banquo shows how much stronger they are compared to their …show more content…
Before each scene is a brief explanation of the weather, however this can only be seen with words such as ‘thunder’ or ‘lightning’; there is never a description of ‘sunny’ or clear skies’. This emphasis Shakespeare adds to these scenes tells the audience that something unusual is about to take place. This can be seen particularly when the witches are about to enter the scene or act. Throughout the play the witches are portrayed as old woman with supernatural powers and evil characteristics that are seen to know Macbeth’s future. In scene one the first witch says ‘When shall we meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?’, the use of this stormy weather surrounding the witches tells the audience that the next time these three witches meet, something evil and unnatural will most likely take place. Similar to this line from the first witch, the three witches always incorporate the gloomy weather into their conversations and this helps the audience in understanding their
Shakespeare uses a large motif of light vs. darkness throughout the play to present moral choices and religious ideas. When the play opens, there is thunder rolling around and the witches on stage. The thunder is symbolic of darkness and gives the audience the first impression that the play will not be ordinary. The witches who only appear in darkness, elements of the supernatural, are one of Shakespeare's classic ways of catching the audience's attention and of also setting the mood for the play.
We'll first talk about the witches. Thunder occurs every time when the witches show up. In Act I sence i, it indicates the theme of discorder. When the witches enter, there is stormy weather. The storm attends the three witches when they are gather to express their exploits. They cast a spell that they are going to meet Macbeth. "There to meet with Macbeth." Also, thunder occurs at Act I scene iii, Act
The first witch had previously sworn to take revenge on a sailor. The second witch then promises to help the first witch by using the wind. This scene demonstrates how weather is used to augment the witches’ powers; thus increasing the fear we have for the witches.
The second type of literary device that Shakespeare uses in Macbeth is symbolism. The predominant symbol is blood and is used as an effective method to describe the theme of the play. Not only does blood symbolize bravery, it is also a means of showing treachery and treason and probably most importantly, guilt. One example of bravery occurs when the captain says, "For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name--/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/Which smoked with bloody execution"(1.2.16-18). Soon after this blood changes into a representation of treachery and treason. Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to "Make thick my blood,/ Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse" (1.5. 43-44). She asks the spirits to take away compassion and make her remorseless for the actions she is about to take. Also, when Ross asks, "Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?" (2.4.22), he tries to figure out who performed the disloyal act of murdering the king. Blood is also used many times to express the guilt-ridden consciences of the characters. For instance, Macbeth says, "What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine own eyes!/ Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash the blood/ Clean from my hand?" (2.3.58-60). Macbeth obviously feels guilty for killing Duncan in cold blood. Later in the play, Lady Macbeth
In the play ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare uses brutal imagery, with association of blood. The mood of disgust and horror towards the characters and setting is established by the references to the universal representation of death and pain. The first mention of blood seems to establish a sense of honor. The second mention of blood seems to communicate betrayal. Lastly the third allusion of blood appears to establish a sense of guilt All of these images of blood help develop the atmosphere and scene and contribute to the over all drama of the play.
The witches see greatness in Macbeth and want everyone to praise him for his action. The lines contain anaphora because each sentence begins with“All hail Macbeth.” By doing so, the author allows the lines to become more meaningful and memorable in the reader's mind. This serves as a foreshadow for a possible downfall because it seems that Macbeth enjoys having this power and hearing the witches say this about him only heightens his perspective about himself, but with great power comes great responsibility.
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, First of all literal imagery and symbolism enhances our understanding of the play and ables us to create a clear image in our mind understanding her guilt and fear. As Lady Macbeth describes Duncan’s body “the old man had so much blood in him” () as she remembers from the night of the murder. This effective form of literal imagery helps the reader understand what is going on in Lady Macbeth's mind and allows use to understand her guilt.
Imagery is a way to amplify theme in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It portrays many different themes in the play. Imagery is used in many different ways, such as blood, animals and, light and dark.
The Tragedy of Macbeth opens in a desert place with thunder and lightning and three Witches who are anticipating their meeting with Macbeth, "There to meet with Macbeth." They all say together the mysterious and contradictory "Fair is foul, and foul is fair." King Duncan learns that "brave Macbeth" and Banquo are bravely resisting the "Norweyan banners" and the rebellious Thane of Cawdor. When these forces are vanquished, Duncan bids Ross to greet Macbeth with his new
The first scene gives the witches a sense of suspense and uniesiness that follows them thruought the play. The foul weather is one indication of such a feeling. This first presentation of the witches is during a storm, as will be their next meeting. Storms are usually associated with fear and uncertainty of what can happen, therefore generating suspense. Shakespeare was also known for starting plays with scenes that will grasp the audience’s attention, whether it had elements of power, violence, or in this case, the supernatural. That is exactly what witches are, supernatural beings that use magic and other otherworldly methods to achieve their usually ill-meaning goal. These witches’ intentions aren’t presented clearly; they just
The Viewers have known blood to all of us to represent life, death and often injury. Blood is an essential part of life and without blood, we could not live. This is known to everyone, and because of this, when Shakespeare uses the imagery of blood to represent treason, guilt, murder and death. The audience have easily understands it and fits it in perfectly with the ideas we have of blood. Blood is the most prominent and seems to be the most important imagery of Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’.
In the beginning of the play, the Three Witches appear to Macbeth and Banquo. On the night of their appearance, there is a horrible thunderstorm. The witches tell Macbeth
Shakespeare is unarguably famous for his creative and vivid use of imagery in his acclaimed plays. Animal imagery is one literary device he uses often to develop theme and characterize individuals in his plays. One of his most prominent tragedies, Macbeth, contains many examples of animal imagery, most of which characterizes Macbeth himself. Animal imagery at the beginning of the tragedy, such as the comparison of Macbeth to an eagle and a lion, characterize him as loyal, brave, and honorable. As the play develops, however, the animal imagery used, like a predatory bird and a ferocious beast, begins to characterize him as power hungry, violent, and truly inhumane. In his tragedy Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses animal imagery to reflect
mood of the play. A great storm of thunder and lightning is taking place one of the witches
In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, imagery is used to set the tone of a passage, provide contrast and irony to scenes, and help to display character. Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness, and blood in an exceptional manner to describe his play. Each one of these is an important symbol used throughout the play. They add to a complete understanding of a passage or the play as a whole.