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Essay on A 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. 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 effective are irony, symbolism, and imagery.

One technique that Shakespeare uses is irony. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means the opposite. When a reader understands the irony of what a character is saying, then he can truly understand the nature and intentions of the character. An example of verbal irony is when Macbeth says to Banquo, "Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,/ And I'll request your presence" (Macbeth 3.1.13-14). The reader soon discovers that Banquo never makes it to the 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 example of situation irony occurs when Macduff talks to Malcolm and discusses the tragedies that are taking place in Scotland. Without knowing that his own family has been slain Macduff says, " Each new morn/ New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/ Strike heaven on the face" (4.3.4-6). Ironically, Macduff comments about widows, while he is completely unaware that he is a widower himself. Irony

Quotes talked about in this paper

  • Macbeth says to Banquo, "Tonight we hold a solemn supper, sir,/ And I'll request your presence" ...
  • Macbeth says, "What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine own eyes!/ Will all great Neptune's ocean wash the blood/ Clean from my hand?"

Names mentioned in this research paper
Lady Macbeth, William Shakespeare,

Keywords talked about in this research paper
macbeth, Lady Macbeth, literary device, tragic play, Shakespeare, verbal irony, literary technique, asks, William Shakespeare, tragic hero, Cawdor, cold blood, Thane, one thing, eleventh century, Ross, effective method, treachery, bloody, widows, wash, Banquo, candle, the play, the old man, viewer, clothes, villainous, ingenious, somber, pluck, sleepwalking, widower, tragedies, howl, Shakespearean, ironic, irrational, supper, clears, gloss, smoked, orphans, brutal, grab, remorseless, compassion, robes, Neptune, conscience,

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A Literary Devices Used in Macbeth. (1969, December 31). In DirectEssays.com. Retrieved 05:36, May 20, 2013, from http://www.directessays.com/viewpaper/10396.html
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