The Downfall of Macbeth
Cate Wilhite
Macbeth's Downfall
Literary Devices
Dramatic Irony:
In act one of scene six Macbeth and Lady Macbeth welcome many people, including King Duncan, to their castle. The Macbeth's are very kind and polite to all of their guests, especially King Duncan. Lady Macbeth shows dramatic irony by stating, "All our service In every point twice done, and then done double, Were poor and single business to contend Against those honors deep and broad where with Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old, And the late dignities heaped up to them, we rest your hermits"(1.6.17-23). Lady Macbeth shows dramatic irony because she is basically sucking up to King Duncan while planning to kill him.Foreshadowing:
In scene one of act two Macbeth is preparing to kill King Duncan. Banquo suspects Macbeth's plans because of the witches' prophecies. Macbeth hears a funeral bell while plotting King Duncan's death. Macbeth hearing this is foreshadowing because Macbeth feels that, "I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell That summons thee to heaven, or to hell"(2.1.71-73). The bell shows foreshadowing because it is a funeral bell that signifies Duncan's death.
Dynamic Character:
In scene two of act three Macbeth and Lady Macbeth talk privately and discuss Duncan's murder. Right after the murder, Lady Macbeth felt as if it was no big deal, whereas Macbeth thought he had done something incredibly awful. At this point in the play, these thoughts are reversed and Lady Macbeth feels that "Naught's had, all's spent, where our desire is got without content, 'Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy"(3.2.6-9).This shows that Lady Macbeth changes throughout the story, therefore making her a dynamic character.