Macbeth Essay, Research Paper
Without literary techniques most literature would be colorless. Therefore these techniques are very crucial in producing successful writing. Not only do they create interest, they also help in development of characters, this is especially depicted in the Shakespearean play, Macbeth. The characters developed from the different literary techniques such as irony, paradox, and imagery assist in conveying the many themes throughout the play.
In this play different types of irony help in the development of characters, and as a result convey the themes of the play. First, Macbeth invites Banquo to his feast, “Fail not our feast,” says Macbeth, “My lord I will not,” replies Banquo ( , , 29-30 ). This is an illustration of dramatic irony because it is known before this quote that Macbeth is planning to murder Banquo and that he will not be alive to attend the great feast. Consequently this quote depicts a lot about Macbeth’s character because is shows that he is very conniving and heartless due to the fact that he wants to murder one of is only friends, and his innocent son. This also follows the theme of appearance versus reality in the play. When saying this Macbeth seems to be genuine and sincere, but in reality the audience/reader know are already aware of his evil and vicious plans. Lady Macbeth speaks another example of irony, as she talks of her account with Duncan: “Had he not resembled my father I had done’t.”( , . 13-14) This is an example of thematic irony, because shortly before Lady Macbeth seems be very strong and determined but when she comes face to face with the deed she is unable to do it. This shows that Lady Macbeth is not as sinister as she seems. She just tries to act tough but in actuality she is recreant. Thus this quote follows the theme of appearance versus reality because Lady Macbeth tries to put on an appearance of being inconsiderate and shallow but underneath she is exactly the opposite. Furthermore tragic irony is shown when Macbeth arrogantly says, “Then Live Macduff what need I fear of thee?” ( , , 82) This is tragic irony because Macbeth acts very hubris. He thinks that he is invincible, but eventually he realizes that he should have been more careful because Banquo ironically ends up killing him. Further, it develops the theme of appearance versus reality because to Macbeth it seems that he does not need to be afraid of Macduff because the witches trick him into thinking that he is immortal when in reality he is not. As has been noted dramatic, thematic, and tragic irony aid in the development of characters and with it help expand the theme of appearance versus reality.
In addition to irony, Shakespeare’s use of paradox develops character and themes in the play. In particular when the second witch says: “ When the hurlyburly’s done, when the battles lost and won.” ( , , 3-4) This is a paradox because at first this quote is very confusing and does not make any sense, but after reviewing one can see that the witches are talking about the war and when it will end; when there will be a winner and a loser. The witches are very unusual characters; they are conniving and un-trustable. This is shown in this quote because they are not bluntly saying what they mean; they say it in a confusing manner in which they may be sending more then just the literal meaning. This illustrates the nature of violence and lost of lives in the play because the witches are talking about war and fighting. Likewise, earlier on in the play Duncan says, “ What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won!”( , ,70) This is a paradox because the quote does not at first make sense but when reevaluated one can see that Duncan is idealistic. It illustrates that Duncan makes quick decisions without really putting thought into them. Duncan is very affable, he basically trusts everyone and this is why this quote represents he theme of appearance versus reality. To Duncan it seems that Macbeth is just another one of his ‘noble’ servants and therefore he trusts him, but in reality Macbeth is corrupt and superficial. Macbeth is not what he appears to be. Furthermore, Shakespeare use of paradox is shown when Lady Macbeth says:
That which hath made them drunk hath made me bold,
What hath quench’d them hath given me fire. ( , , 13-14)
By saying this quote it shows the audience/reader that she is mentally deficient and that she has to drink to make herself valiant and therefore hide from her guilty conscious. This illustrates how ambitious she is. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are ready to do anything so that Macbeth can become King; this includes murdering the King and any others who come in their way. Overall the literary technique of paradox develops the characters and themes in the play.
Similarly to paradox, Shakespeare’s use of imagery assists in the development of characters and themes in the play. For instance when Macbeth says, “Upon my head they plac’d a fruitless crown.” ( , ,61) This example of clothing imagery puts a vivid picture in the reader/audience’s mind. It shows that Macbeth is upset and envious of Banquo because he has kids and Macbeth does not. He is also upset because the witches promised Banquo that his kids would be kings while Macbeth’s would be the only king in his family. This develops the theme of ambition because Macbeth is jealous of Banquo. It also shows that Macbeth does not always get what he wants. Another example is of animal imagery which is said by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth is, “O full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife; thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives” (, , 37-38) This is a great example of animal imagery because scorpions are poisonous and therefore the reader/audience understand that Macbeth is having evil thoughts. The imagery illustrates a lot about Macbeth’s character because one can see that Macbeth is very evil and vicious because he wants to murder two innocent people. The theme that this quote conveys is good versus evil because Macbeth is evil and Banquo is good. The former knows that his thoughts are evil about the later, but due to the fact that the former has already shed so much blood he fails to refrain himself from his savage feelings. In the same way, clothing imagery is used when Macbeth says, “The Thane of Caldor lives: Why do u dress me in borrowed robes.” ( , ,109) This type of imagery puts a clear image in ones mind of what Shakespeare is trying to say. It also depicts Macbeth’s character because it shows that Macbeth does not want to take a title which is not his. This is also a great comparison because it illustrates the change in Macbeth from the beginning of the play to the end. At the beginning he is generally a good person but as the play goes on there is a drastic change in the character, he becomes evil and takes over many things which are not his. The theme that this quote develops is appearance versus reality because Macbeth does not want to be something he is not and also it shows that just because one dresses like something does not necessarily mean that, that is who they are. In simpler terms clothing and animal imagery help create the characters personalities and by doing this aid in the production of the themes.
All in all Shakespeare’s Macbeth, accurately uses the literary techniques of irony, which show that things aren’t always what they seem; paradox which depict that sometimes things should be reexamined to find out the real or other then literal meaning of what is being said, and imagery which illustrates that putting images in peoples minds is one of the best ways to convey a message. Together these techniques develop the characters and themes in the play. There are many lessons to be learnt in this play, when comprehended correctly they can help one unravel some of man’s modern day difficulties in life.
Другие работы по теме:
Macbeth Essay Research Paper MacbethIf it hadn
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth If it hadn’t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo. Macbeth, also would not have been killed my Macduff. The three witches are the
Macbeth 10 Essay Research Paper MACBETHCHOICE 2
Macbeth 10 Essay, Research Paper MACBETH CHOICE 2 – Compare the changes in Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as a result of the murder of King Duncan. How are they before the murder, and what happens to each of them
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Lady MacBeth hated Duncan when he came to the land. She hated the fact that he stood a chance of being king over her husband which ment she stood a chance of not being queen. Knowing this,
ShakespeareS Macbeth Essay Research Paper Illusion versus
Shakespeare?S ?Macbeth? Essay, Research Paper Illusion versus Reality in Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” Throughout the entire text of William Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth”, there is an evident struggle between reality and illusion. In the very first scene of the play, the Weird Sisters prophesize a future that Macbeth is assured will come true.
Macbeth Character Sketch Essay Research Paper MacbethMacbeth
Macbeth Character Sketch Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Macbeth is the main character in the play. In the beginning of the play he is a nobleman and Scottish general in King Duncan’s army. Macbeth later becomes the Thane of Glamis and Cawdor and King of Scotland. Macbeth is a man who is easily persuaded, brave, good-hearted, and overly-ambitious.
Macbeth Essay Essay Research Paper MacBeth EssayWe
Macbeth Essay Essay, Research Paper MacBeth Essay We are sympathetic towards MacBeth for various reasons. Reasons like that he never wanted to kill Duncan and the witches predictions were to tempting. Or that his wife almost shamed into doing it to prove to her that he was a man. After hearing those reasons you cannot forget about the pressure he received from Lady MacBeth’s degrading insults.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper 1Early in Macbeth
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper 1)Early in Macbeth we see Lady Macbeth as the strong, rational, determined, ambitious, even ruthless woman ; on the other hand we see a more vacillating , fearful Macbeth. As the play progresses, we see both characters change. Discuss.
Macbeth Vs Macduff Essay Research Paper Macbeth
Macbeth Vs. Macduff Essay, Research Paper Macbeth vs. Macduff The conflict between Macbeth and Macduff is very important, one which ultimately leads to the demise of Macbeth. Macduff, who at one point is very loyal to Macbeth, becomes Macbeth s adversary as time progresses.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Macbeth EssayFrom the
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth Essay From the very beginning Macbeth has been a victim of the witches? prophecy and Lady Macbeth?s ambition. With no support he soon succumbed to the pressures of each.
My Presentation Of Macbeth Act 3 Scene
4 Essay, Research Paper 10Hn This essay will show my interpretation of Act 3 Scene 4 from Macbeth. This scene is a turning point in the play because we see the first glimpse of Macbeth?s guilty conscience, which becomes the cause of
Watership Down 2 Essay Research Paper Watership
Watership Down 2 Essay, Research Paper Watership Down as Good Literature Watership Down, by Richard Adams, is considered good literature because of the literary techniques and because of the plot. Several literary techniques are used to pull the reader in and the plot is a well constructed to hold their attention.
Macbeth Literary Essay Essay Research Paper Literary
Macbeth Literary Essay Essay, Research Paper Literary Essay – Macbeth In William Shakespeare s Macbeth, the play s central character Macbeth displays the atrocities created by greed, one of the play s many themes. The play Macbeth, illustrates to the reader how greed for power and wealth can destroy oneself and everyone in his treacherous path.
Literary Devices Used In Macbeth Essay Research
Paper Literary Devices used in MACBETH Imagine how dull a Shakespearean play would be without the ingenious literary devices and techniques that contribute so much to the fulfillment of its reader or viewer. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that combines fact and legend to tell the story of an eleventh century king.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper Macbeth although largely
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Macbeth, although largely responsible, was not totally responsible for the torrent of evil which was unleashed in Scotland after after Duncan’s death. Both Lady Macbeth and the supernatural powers must accept at last some of the responsibility for the evil deeds unleashed during Macbeth reign.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper In Macbeth I
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper In Macbeth, I believe the story would have been completely different. Why? If it hadn?t been for the three witches, Macbeth would never have killed Duncan nor Banquo.
Imagery In Macbeth Essay Research Paper Imagery
Imagery In Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Imagery plays a very important purpose in the revealing of the character of Macbeth nearthe beginning of the story. It helps to reveal Macbeth as being brave and full of ambitionwhen the captain describes him like Valour s minion ( I, II, 20). This allows theaudience to see, without actually observing, just how brave a man Macbeth really is.
Macbeth By Shakespeare Essay Research Paper Macbeth
Macbeth By Shakespeare Essay, Research Paper Macbeth by William Shakespeare In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Lady Macbeth unconsciously uses Macbeth and others as a shield for guilt. When she wants something but doesn’t have the guts to perform the task herself, she calls upon anyone but herself to do it.
The Murder Essay Research Paper 121096 The
The Murder Essay, Research Paper 12/10/96 The Murder In the beginning of the play, Macbeth and Banquo meet three witches. The witches predict that Macbeth will be Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and king. They tell Banquo that his sons will become kings. At that point Macbeth was already Thane of Glamis because of his father.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper In the first
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper In the first act of the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the reader is introduced to the two characters that will play the most significant part in the play’s storyline. Even though they are man and wife, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have much dissimilarity. One can tell how their personalities differ as the plot moves forward.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Downfall of
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The Downfall of Macbeth Macbeth’s love for Lady Macbeth, in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, caused Macbeth to feel the need to prove his manhood, which eventually lead to his downfall. Macbeth was not secure in his manhood, so he felt the need to prove himself to Lady Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth Essay Research Paper Lady MacbethThe
Lady Macbeth Essay, Research Paper Lady Macbeth The downfall of Macbeth was a great tragedy. He knew it was not right to kill the king, but he felt he had no other choice. He was trapped into doing wrong. Lady Macbeth gave him the evil ideas throughout the play. She was his driving force. Without her, Macbeth wouldn’t have done what he did.
Macbeth Witches Essay Research Paper Macbeth who
Macbeth Witches Essay, Research Paper Macbeth, who is hailed by the three witches as the ancestor of kings. Macbeth is an intelligent spiritual likeness of a villain-hero who feels his own guilt
Macbeth Downfall Essay Research Paper In Macbeth
Macbeth Downfall Essay, Research Paper In Macbeth there were a few factors that contributed to the degeneration of the Macbeth character. There were three factors that destroyed Macbeth. The main
Macbeth Essay Essay Research Paper Macbeth
Macbeth Essay Essay, Research Paper Macbeth – Tragic Villain or Victim Of Fate The story of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is one of many tragic plays he composed. Macbeth is about a sadistic general that takes a prediction to the limits. In most stories, we root for the good guys…but in this story, get ready to root for the dark side.
The Use Of Teh Witches In 2
The Use Of Teh Witches In “Macbeth” Essay, Research Paper Shannon 12 ? 22 ? 99 Senior English Hour 7A The Use of the Witches in ?Macbeth? One of Shakespeare?s most famous plays, ?Macbeth?, includes examples of several literary techniques. Two techniques he uses are foreshadowing and bringing supernatural elements into a story.
Literary Techniques Essay Research Paper 1 ImageryImagery
Literary Techniques Essay, Research Paper 1. Imagery Imagery is one of the main techniques used through out Waiting for Godot. The first image that appears is a tree. This simple tree in the middle of a desolate setting alludes to many symbols. To start, the tree represents the Tree of Knowledge, for it creates a reverse Garden of Eden.
Macbeth Essay Research Paper The Destruction of
Macbeth Essay, Research Paper The Destruction of Macbeth Three factors that are at work to destroy Macbeth are the flaws in his own character, the forces of evil of the Devil represented by the Tree Weird Sisters, and Lady
The Banquet When Banquo
’s Ghost Returns Essay, Research Paper Whilst Macbeth is entertaining his guests, unseen the ghost of Banquo slips in and sits in Macbeth’s place. When the guests asks Macbeth to sit down, he takes one look at his place and sees Banquo sitting there.He says, “Which of you have done this?”. And they answer him,”What my good Lord?” He asks his guests where there is a spare place and they point to where Banquo’s ghost is sitting.
Macbeath Essay Research Paper Anthony Sears12298Period 2Macbeth
Macbeath Essay, Research Paper Anthony Sears 12-2-98 Period 2 Macbeth Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are two megalomaniacs. Their actions in the first two acts are very childish and selfish. Their lust for power and control over runs their lives and becomes something to die for. Lady Macbeth is very persuasive, and Macbeth will almost follow her very word.
Lady Macbeth Essay Research Paper At the
Lady Macbeth Essay, Research Paper At the start of the play, Lady Macbeth seems to have a very strong character – almost stronger than Macbeth’s – but by the end she is reduced to being afraid of the dark. At the beginning she is Macbeth’s ‘dearest partner of greatness’, but at the end she is his ‘fiend-like queen’.