Shakespeare used the stylistic devices he was fully aware his Renaissance readers would approve. Without taking into consideration cultural differences, we can recognize some of them which Shakespeare uses stylistic devices to deepen his readers’ understanding of the play
Frequent symbols assure main aspects of reference throughout the play, often having very well established correlations for a reader. For instance, the presence of birds is one nature scene which symbolizes superstitions.
Foreshadowing is where, much like the witches predictions, the readers are given clues as to what is to follow.
The witches set the tone with a storm and predictions that Macbeth’s life will become so confused he will find it difficult to differentiate between right and wrong. Their later predictions foreshadow a downfall the readers are aware of long before Macbeth is willing to accept their implications.
3. • Foreshadowing is where, much like the
witches predictions, the readers are given
clues as to what is to follow.
• The witches set the tone with a storm
and predictions that Macbeth’s life will
become so confused he will find it
difficult to differentiate between right
and wrong. Their later predictions
foreshadow a downfall the readers are
aware of long before Macbeth is willing
to accept their implications.
4. • The play itself opens with thunder and
lightning, immediately foreshadowing the
tumult which will break upon the lives of all
the characters.
• Through dramatic irony, the enacted actions
by character have a dual and often darker
meaning.
• When Duncan comments on the ‘pleasing air’
of Macbeth’s castle, the readers know that
this air will be the last he breathes.
5. • The most powerful examples of dramatic
irony include Macbeth’s acceptance of the
apparitions’ seeming assurances that no
man ‘of woman born shall harm Macbeth’
and that he is safe until Birnam Wood
moves. Macbeth continues to feel confident
of his safety even though the readers,
through dramatic irony, have seen the
equivocations of the witches long before
Macbeth realises them.
6. • Lady Macbeth’s portrayal begins with the
powerful elements of her ambitious and
successful plotting of Duncan’s demise,
effective rhetorical manipulation of her
husband to ‘be a man’ and take action,
and her potential position as Macbeth’s
equal in their relationship, his desired
‘dear partner of greatness.’ Still, for the
most part, these powerful moments are
all in the service of disorder and the
unnatural.
7. • From the beginning, Lady Macbeth’s cultural
value has generally included the sense that
she is monstrous - she not only has crossed
the boundaries of appropriate behavior for a
wife and subject, but she has called on
demonic forces to help her achieve her goals.
• Are there other productive ways of
representing Lady Macbeth without re-
inscribing her within the traditional evil
female stereotypes such as the witch and
seductress?
8. • The plot thickens with intrigue, not to
mention the fascinating interplay between
the title character and his diabolical wife in
a world of literal darkness. Here light is as
likely the bringer of terror as of salvation.
