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Macbeth Literary Analysis

Decent Essays

Authors often use different literary elements to create the tragic hero in their writings in a way to appeal to readers. In “Macbeth”, William Shakespeare introduces Macbeth, who conflicts with himself and other characters to gain more power. He introduces Macbeth as a man with high hopes who’s willing to sacrifice everything and kill due to his high ambition of control. Once told by wicked witches of his fate, he puts it into action and begins to murder victims to make it come true. In his play, Shakespeare uses the different literary element to develop the subject of Macbeth being a tragic hero.
In “Macbeth”, William Shakespeare uses tone to represent the significant actions that would arouse pity and fear that results in a catharsis of these …show more content…

During a meeting with King Duncan, it is obvious he has more respect of Macbeth as a heroic warrior. In appreciation after battle, Duncan states to Macbeth, “Two truths are told, as a happy prologue to the swelling act of the imperial theme, I thank you gentleman”(l. vii, 130-132). Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to show Macbeth has fallen from a humble warrior now aspiring to be a king through murdering someone who admires him most. The audience notices this fall from greatness from an admired warrior for his country and now plans to kill the king for his own selfish reasons. During King Duncan’s visit, Macbeth goes to kill him to take the crown. King Duncan is delusional as he states, “Only I have left to say, more is thy due than more than all can pay.”( l.vii, 19-20) Shakespeare uses dramatic irony to show the obstruction of Macbeth’s downfall as he betrays his king. Shakespeare shows Macbeth’s vengeance character greatly throughout the play. Macbeth states to his murderers that “to be thus is nothing but to be safely thus our fears in Banquo stick deep, and in his royalty of nature reigns that which would be feared”(III. i, 49-52). Macbeth is plotting a murder against Banquo, he once only killed for the good of the country, now he had other people kill someone for vindictive reasons. This shows dramatic irony as the audience notices Macbeth’s fall from greatness. At the beginning, he felt guilty for killing people for selfish reasons but now he is planning it with no

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