Literary Devices in Macbeth

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Without literary techniques most literature would be colorless. Therefore these techniques are really important in bring for thing successful authorship. Not merely do they make involvement, they besides help in the development of characters, this is particularly depicted in the Shakespearian drama, Macbeth. The characters developed from the different literary techniques such as sarcasm, paradox, and imagery aid in conveying the many subjects throughout the drama.

In this drama different types of sarcasm aid in the development of characters, and as a consequence convey the subjects of the drama. First, Macbeth invites Banquo to his banquet, “Fail non our banquet,” says Macbeth, “My Godhead I will non,” answers Banquo . This is an illustration of dramatic sarcasm because it is known before this quotation mark that Macbeth is be aftering to slay Banquo and that he will non be alive to go to the great banquet.

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Consequently this quotation mark depicts a batch about Macbeth’s character because is shows that he is really collusive and hardhearted due to the fact that he wants to slay one of is merely friends, and his guiltless boy. This besides follows the subject of visual aspect versus world in the drama. When stating this Macbeth seems to be echt and sincere, but in world the audience/reader know are already cognizant of his immorality and barbarous programs. Lady Macbeth speaks another illustration of sarcasm, as she talks of her history with Duncan: “Had he non resembled my male parent I had don’t.”

This is an illustration of thematic sarcasm, because shortly before Lady Macbeth seems be really strong and determined but when she comes face to face with the title she is unable to make it. This shows that Lady Macbeth is non every bit sinister as she seems. She merely attempts to move tough but in actuality she is renegade. Thus this quotation mark follows the subject of visual aspect versus world because Lady Macbeth tries to set on an visual aspect of being inconsiderate and shallow but underneath she is precisely the antonym. Furthermore tragic sarcasm is shown when Macbeth arrogantly says, “Then Live Macduff what need I fear of thee?”

This is tragic sarcasm because Macbeth acts really hubris. He thinks that he is unbeatable, but finally he realizes that he should hold been more careful because Banquo ironically ends up killing him. Further, it develops the subject of visual aspect versus world because to Macbeth it seems that he does non necessitate to be afraid of Macduff because the enchantress trick him into believing that he is immortal when in world he is non. As has been noted dramatic, thematic, and tragic sarcasm assistance in the development of characters and with it help spread out the subject of visual aspect versus world.

In add-on to irony, Shakespeare’s usage of paradox develops character and subjects in the drama. In peculiar when the 2nd enchantress says: “When the hurlyburly’s done, when the conflicts lost and won.”  This is a paradox because at first this quotation mark is really confusing and does non do any sense, but after reexamining one can see that the enchantress are speaking about the war and when it will stop; when there will be a victor and a also-ran. The enchantress are really unusual characters; they are conniving and un-trustable. This is shown in this quotation mark because they are non bluffly stating what they mean; they say it in a confusing mode in which they may be directing more so merely the actual significance. This illustrates the nature of force and doomed of lives in the drama because the enchantress are speaking about war and combat. Likewise, earlier on in the drama Duncan says, “What he hath lost baronial Macbeth hath won!”

This is a paradox because the quotation mark does non at first make sense but when reevaluated one can see that Duncan is idealistic. It illustrates that Duncan makes speedy determinations without truly seting thought into them. Duncan is really amiable, he fundamentally trusts everyone and this is why this quotation mark represents he subject of visual aspect versus existentity. To Duncan it seems that Macbeth is merely another one of his ‘noble’ retainers and hence he trusts him, but in world Macbeth is corrupt and superficial. Macbeth is non what he appears to be. Furthermore, Shakespeare usage of paradox is shown when Lady Macbeth says:

That which hath made them imbibe hath made me bold, What hath quench’d them hath given me fire.

By stating this quotation mark it shows the audience/reader that she is mentally lacking and that she has to imbibe to do herself valiant and hence fell from her guilty witting. This illustrates how ambitious she is. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are ready to make anything so that Macbeth can go King; this includes slaying the King and any others who come in their manner. Overall the literary technique of paradox develops the characters and subjects in the drama.

Similarly to paradox, Shakespeare’s usage of imagination aids in the development of characters and subjects in the drama. For case when Macbeth says, “Upon my caput they plac’d a bootless crown.” This illustration of vesture imagination puts a graphic image in the reader/audience’s head. It shows that Macbeth is disquieted and covetous of Banquo because he has childs and Macbeth does non. He is besides upset because the enchantress promised Banquo that his childs would be male monarchs while Macbeth’s would be the lone male monarch in his household. This develops the subject of aspiration because Macbeth is covetous of Banquo. It besides shows that Macbeth does non ever acquire what he wants. Another illustration is of animate being imagination which is said by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth is, “O full of Scorpios is my head, beloved married woman; thou know’st that Banquo and his Fleance lives”

This is a great illustration of carnal imagination because Scorpios are toxicant and hence the reader/audience understand that Macbeth is holding evil ideas. The imagination illustrates a batch about Macbeth’s character because one can see that Macbeth is really evil and barbarous because he wants to slay two guiltless people. The subject that this quotation mark conveys is good versus immorality because Macbeth is evil and Banquo is good. The former knows that his ideas are evil about the later, but due to the fact that the former has already shed so much blood he fails to forbear himself from his barbarian feelings. In the same manner, vesture imagination is used when Macbeth says, “The Thane of Caldor lives: Why do u dress me in borrowed robes.”

This type of imagination puts a clear image in 1s head of what Shakespeare is seeking to state. It besides depicts Macbeth’s character because it shows that Macbeth does non desire to take a rubric which is non his. This is besides a great comparing because it illustrates the alteration in Macbeth from the beginning of the drama to the terminal. At the beginning he is by and large a good individual but as the drama goes on there is a drastic alteration in the character, he becomes evil and takes over many things which are non his. The subject that this quotation mark develops is appearance versus world because Macbeth does non desire to be something he is non and besides it shows that merely because one frocks like something does non need fully intend that, that is who they are. In simpler footings vesture and animate being imagination aid make the characters personalities and by making this assistance in the production of the subjects.

All in all Shakespeare’s Macbeth, accurately uses the literary techniques of sarcasm, which show that things aren’t ever what they seem; paradox which depict that sometimes things should be reexamined to happen out the existent or other so actual significance of what is being said, and imagination which illustrates that setting images in peoples heads is one of the best ways to convey a message. Together these techniques develop the characters and subjects in the drama. There are many lessons to be learnt in this drama, when comprehended right they can assist one unravel some of adult male’s modern twenty-four hours troubles in life.

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Literary Devices in Macbeth. (2018, May 23). Retrieved from

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