Literary Devices Used in Macbe Essay

Imagine how dull a Shakespearean hunt down would be without the bright literary devices and techniques that contri scarcee so much to the fulfillment of its reader or viewer. Macbeth, by forgetiam Shakespeare, is a tragedy that combines fact and legend to tell the storey of an eleventh century king. Shakespeare uses numerous types of literary techniques to make this tragic play more appealing. Three literary devices that Shakespeare uses to make Macbeth more interesting and hard-hitting are banter, symbolism, and imagery. whizz technique that Shakespeare uses is irony.Verbal irony is when a flake says one thing but means the opposite. When a reader ascertains the irony of what a character is saying, then he can truly understand the nature and intentions of the character. An face of verbal irony is when Macbeth says to Banquo, Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,/ And Ill request your presence (Macbeth 3. 1. 13-14). The reader soon discovers that Banquo neer makes it to th e banquet because he is brutally murdered by order of Macbeth. Shakespeare also uses situation irony. This occurs when the results of an action or event are different than what is expected.An prototype of situation irony occurs when Macduff talks to Malcolm and discusses the tragedies that are taking place in Scotland. Without k immediatelying that his own family has been slain Macduff says, Each new morn/ bare-assed widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/ Strike heaven on the face (4. 3. 4-6). Ironically, Macduff comments somewhat widows, while he is completely unaware that he is a widower himself. Irony, a key element to a tragic play wish well Macbeth, has the ability to make the tragic hero appear more nefarious or the down-fall seem even more tragic.The second type of literary device that Shakespeare uses in Macbeth is symbolism. The predominant symbol is line of merchandise and is utilize as an effective method to describe the theme of the play. Not only does blood symbolize gory, it is also a means of showing treachery and imposition and probably most outstandingly, 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). in short after this blood changes into a representation of treachery and treason.Lady Macbeth asks the strong drink to Make thick my blood,/ Stop up th access and musical passage to remorse (1. 5. 43-44). She asks the spirits to take away compassion and make her ruthless for the actions she is about to take. Also, when Ross asks, Ist 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 scrupless of the characters. For instance, Macbeth says, What hands are present? Ha They pluck out mine own eyes / Will all great Neptunes ocean wash the bl ood/ cleanse from my hand? (2. 3. 58-60). Macbeth obviously feels guilty for killing Duncan in cold blood. ulterior in the play, Lady Macbeth reveals her guilt while sleepwalking. She walks through the castle carrying a candle. She often sits the candle down and begins to rub her hands as if she is attempt to wash them. In her somber state, she cries out What need we fear who knows it, when no(prenominal) can call our powr to accompt? Yet who would substantiate purview the old man to have so much blood in him? (5. 1. 38-41). Lady Macbeth feels as though she cannot wipe clean her blood stain hands.This is a bit ironic since earlier she told Macbeth, A little water clears us of this deed (2. 2. 66). Lady Macbeth has many dreams and fantasies about blood, which shows that she cannot clear her conscience of this brutal act. Another literary technique that is used in Macbeth is treatment imagery. Word imagery is a term for a metaphor, a semblance that does not use the words lik e or as. One of the best examples of this is clothing imagery. For instance, Ross tells Macbeth that he has been named Thane of Cawdor, and Macbeth says, The Thane of Cawdor lives.Why do you dress me in/ Borrowed robes? (1. 3. 108-109). Macbeth asks why Ross is telling him this. This title is like new clothes to him, but this title and these clothes should still belong to the former Thane of Cawdor. Another example of clothing imagery occurs when Macbeth tells his wife that he has second thoughts of killing Duncan. He says, I have bought/ Golden opinions from all sorts of people,/ Which would be worn now in their newest gloss (1. 7. 32-34). Lady Macbeth thinks he is being irrational. Macbeth knows that he is the decoct of attention now because he saved the country.He also knows that if he kills Duncan everyone would be more interested in the death of their king than in their hero, Macbeth. Shakespeares work reveals that he knew how to make a play a work of art. Through his use of irony, symbolism, and imagery he is able to snapshot the reader or the viewers attention and keep it. These elements have contributed to the endurance of his works for centuries, and they will help it to endure for centuries to come. Without the use of these techniques, Macbeth would not be the tragic play that it is. This play would lack very important methods that help idealize the characters in the play.