Pathetic fallacy is a type of literary device that the author describes weather with. In the use of pathetic fallacy William Shakespeare, in the play Macbeth, uses it to allow the reader to better understand the play. In certain events mood is used to foreshadow the potential problems; like the three witches who cause problems throughout the weather. Sadness and darkness that bring sorrow are expressed through the weather. Therefore, the anxious witches, negativity, and the development in nature develop mood in the play. The three witches often appear in bad weather that affect the mood in the play. At the outset of the play, the witches are evil as they make ominous appearances. Shakespeare uses vivid language to represent the …show more content…
First, the night and day are highlighting King Duncan's murder "Is it night's predominance, or day's shame/That darkness does the face of earth entomb"(2.4.9-10). The nights predominance is the night's ugly deed. The day is being so shameful as it foreshadows a character being ashamed and the possible outcome that might happen to those who are innocents instead of those who have done the ugly deed. Night is filled with wrongful things that can be committed. In addition, the heavens and the earth are very upset with the human living in it "Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man's act,/ threaten his bloody stage"(2.4.6-7). The nature emphasizes the mood that is dealing with the heavens and earth. There is a problem in the play that seems to be unresolved. Heavens that is shown to be peaceful is having trouble dealing with humans. The earth is filled with plenty of sins that the heaven is unable to deal with it. Furthermore, rain can cause a huge effect on the play. Rain can also be predicted by people "It will be rain tonight" (3.3.23). Rain symbolizes the crying of the heavens as something bad happens. The heavens are unable to handle the tears as it is sad over the second
In William Shakespeare's play "Macbeth", manipulation is a very effective device. The main character Macbeth is a puppet controlled by the words coming from the three witches and Lady Macbeth. The four troublemakers provide Macbeth with the motivation and confidence he needs to kill Duncan and perform other dark actions. Macbeth is very ambitious; there’s no doubt about this. However, there is no sign of him changing from a loyal man to a power hungry man. That is until outside influences begin to interfere with his life. The people with the greatest impact on Macbeth are his wife, Lady Macbeth and the witches. However, he then learns to manipulate others himself. In the end, all the treachery is revealed and he realizes
In Macbeth the witches have an evil effect on Macbeth, other characters, the plot, the theme, and the audience. They contribute to the play, and without them the plot would be greatly altered. The three witches have an evil effect on Macbeth and how he makes his actions throughout the play.
Irony, a key element to a tragic play like Macbeth, has the ability to make the tragic hero appear more villainous or the down-fall seem even more tragic.
The idea of thunder and lightning could also add to my point of planning something evil as the dark, stormy weather could be associated with evil. The fact that the witches are making a plan could further suggest something evil is going on as witches are also considered as dark, evil characters. The three witches end the scene in a very unusual way which once again shows their unusual behavior and evil. ‘Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air.’ The effect of ‘Fair is foul’ suggests their evil as they believe that being fair and equal is foul and is horrible. The three witches also believe that ‘foul is fair’ which once again suggests further evil as they believe foul doings is fair. I think the audience of today will still be engaged although they have different beliefs because they will have different views on the play and this could help a director of a different culture.
The Way Shakespeare Portrays Evil in Macbeth Right from the first scene, it is obvious that Macbeth is a story of evil. The play starts on a moor, with thunder and lightning being the very first signal that something less than ordinary is going on. Before the play has even begun, the atmosphere is set for an intimidating and somewhat frightening scene. Stormy weather is nearly always seen as frightening, dark and evil, because it is often related to so much danger and destruction, and Shakespeare uses this well to give and accurate and striking first impression of the play.
Every human being has a weakness and that weakness is pride. ‘Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted (Matthew 23:12, The Bible)’. Pride is a natural flaw that most people do not realize. Some can control it, while others let their pride blind them from logic and truth. Naturally, Macbeth has this attribute and he demonstrates it throughout the play. Shakespeare purposely introduces Macbeth as a proud character. The witches’ prophecies give him his confidence. And as his confidence grows, so does his pride until it eventually consumes his power-crazed mind.
Macbeth’s tragic flaw is his ambition and it consequentially leads to his downfall and ultimate demise. Macbeth is a tragic hero who is introduced in the the play as being well-liked and respected by the general and the people. He brings his death upon himself from this tragic flaw. His strengths turn into his weaknesses and his ambition drives him to the edge and sets himself up for his tragic death.
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.
Since The Tragedy of Macbeth was written there has been speculation about the cause of Macbeth's downfall. Readers ponder whether Macbeth's fall was caused by a flaw in his character, Lady Macbeth, or an outside force of evil. Although the witches set a certain mood and Lady Macbeth exerts a certain influence on him, Macbeth's downfall is caused by his own character.
The witches have an enormous effect on the play, not only are they evil, but this is emphasised by the strong feelings against witches and witchcraft in Elizabethan times. Convicted witches were regularly tortured and even executed. Most people believed in witches and there was little opposition against this persecution. This was not helped by the fact that the king, James 1 was also interested in this superstition, often, he
Good and evil are symbolized by light and darkness in the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare. When there is peace and good, Shakespeare mentions light; whether if it is the sun shining brightly or merely a candle giving light. On the other hand, when there is evil and disorder, he mentions darkness; a shadow or a horrible thunderstorm. Witches are known for evil, chaos, and conflict. Since Witches are known to be evil, whenever they appear, the weather is usually horrible. Shakespeare utilizes light and darkness in order to portray when good or evil will take place.
Thesis: Throughout the play Macbeth, the reader is given the advantage of knowing more things than the characters in the play through the literary device, dramatic irony. This results in suspense and heightens the flaws of the characters.
The play begins with the scene of three witches who prophesise that three events will occur to Macbeth. The Elizabethans believed strongly in supernatural, and associated the devil and
As aforementioned the symbolism in the play includes that of both light and darkness. Macbeth's insomnia resulting from the pressing guilt and Lady Macbeth's nocturnal excursions while asleep are examples. Macbeth was unable to hide in the dark from the horrors of his deeds and he was haunted by the fear of discovery. Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, was afraid of the dark and was using the light in an attempt to dispel her demons.
A reoccurring theme in the play Macbeth is the use of ironic events. Irony is an unexpected occurrence that takes the audience by surprise and generally means the opposite of what is expected. These contradictory events enhance the plot of a story and create suspense. Irony is portrayed multiple times in this play and is known for making the play so amusing. Unexpected incidents throughout the plot occur in scenes involving the witches’ prophecies, Macbeth’s crimes committed to become king, and the back-and-forth changes in the mindset of Lady Macbeth.