The Tragedy of Macbeth
Analysis of the play
Who caused the downfall of the great, brave Macbeth?
Literary Devices
- Aside- when a character on stage is talking either to themselves or a certain person(s) theoretically but in reality all people on stage can hear. E.x.-"(aside) Glamis, and thane of Cawdor! The greatest is behind. (to ROSS and ANGUS)Thanks for your pains.
(aside to BANQUO) Do you not hope your children shall be kings..." (1.3.118-122). This is a part of the play when Macbeth is onstage and as a character, wants to keep his ideas to himself, but in real life, everyone can hear him.
Symbolism- objects that signify other things such as meanings or ideas. E.x.- "Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand?" (2.2.61-62). Blood is a great symbol for Macbeth's guilt, because it is there from the very beginning and does not go away.
Comic Relief- a funny scene in a drama or tragedy that serves to relax the mood. E.x.- "Knock, knock, knock! Who’s there, i' th' name of Beelzebub? Here’s a farmer that hanged himself on the expectation of plenty. Come in time, have napkins enough about you, here you’ll sweat for ’t" (2.3.2-3). This is a scene where a drunk porter decides that he is going to pretend to be the gatekeeper of hell while someone is knocking at Macbeth's castle door.