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Lady Macbeth's Soliloquy

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English Macbeth Essay

Analyze how the writer uses language features to manipulate the reader’s response

In the play Macbeth written by William Shakespeare, soliloquy, aside and symbolism are used to manipulate the reader's response to the idea that power can corrupt.

Shakespeare uses soliloquy to manipulate the reader's reaction to the idea that power can corrupt. After receiving the letter from Macbeth telling her he has become the Thane of Cawdor, Lady Macbeth says “Yet I do fear thy nature is too full o'th milk of human kindness to catch the nearest way.” This suggests that Lady Macbeth is already beginning to think of murder at the slight mention of opportunity. Shakespeare communicates Lady Macbeth’s thoughts as soliloquy, rather than …show more content…

After Macbeth is told he has become the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth says (aside) “Glamis, and Thane of Cawdor: the greatest is behind”. This suggests that Macbeth is already thinking about his future and what he might become. It also suggests that Macbeth is already on his route of ambition. Shakespeare communicates Macbeth’s thoughts as aside, rather than soliloquy because it allows the readers to understand his thoughts on the spot when he as the character is with other characters. The effect of this is to demonstrate to the readers how easy it is to corrupt and change a good heart when the opportunity of power becomes available to them. After Macbeth is told he has become Thane of Cawdor, he immediately thinks what he is able to gain in his near future. This technique is used again when Lady Macbeth says to Macbeth “Are you a man” in aside. It is important that the aside technique is used here because it is clear that what she is saying is not meant for the other characters to hear but for us to hear and understand what she is trying to say. This quote is important because it demonstrates how she resorts to insults to try persuade Macbeth into snapping out of his trance. It shows us that she will disregard her manners as a wife in those ages to keep suspicion away from her and Macbeth regarding him being the king. The effect of this is to help the readers understand how desperate Lady Macbeth is for power and how desperate she is to stay in that state of power and avoid being caught. This teaches us that it is in our human nature to take an opportunity when we see it and think about the consequences

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