Literary Devices in Macbeth
Shakespeare used literary devices he knew his Renaissance audience would appreciate. Some of
this is lost on most modern day audiences as we don't share the same understanding of myths
and legends – but our appreciation of daytime TV would be lost on a Renaissance audience too
so it works both ways. Regardless of cultural differences, we can recognise several ways in
which Shakespeare uses literary devices to deepen his audiences' understanding of the play.
He did this through creating:
• Allusions
• Symbols
• Foreshadowing Techniques
• Dramatic Irony
• Figurative Language – such as metaphors, similes, symbols and personifcation
Allusions
Shakespeare used both mythological and Biblical allusions to 'paint' his scenes. For example,
the sergeant compares a bloody scene of death on the battlefield to Golgotha – the place of
Christ's crucifixion in the New Testament (I,ii.). Macduff alludes to Greek mythology in
comparing the dead Duncan to a Gorgon, known to turn their victims to stone because of the
terror evoked (II,iii).
Symbols
Recurrent symbols provide common points of reference throughout the play, often having very
definite associations for an audience. For example, the presence of birds is one aspect of nature
which symbolises the theme of superstition and omens. When Duncan and Banquo note that
Macbeth's castle enjoys the good omen of nesting martlets, the audience already realises the
danger Duncan will be facing if he spends the night at Inverness (I,v). Therefore, the 'fair' omen
is to become 'foul'. Clever devices such as this serve to subtly advance the plot and (like the
witches) foretell what is to come.
Others powerful and recurrent symbols are:
• Water & Washing – 'A little water clears us of this deed.' (II,ii)
• Blood – 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?' (II,ii)
• Weather – 'Hover through the fog and filthy air.' (I,i)
• Clothing – 'borrowed robes' (I,iii)
• Sleep – 'Not so sick, my lord, as she is troubled with thick-coming fancies that keep her from
her rest.' (V,iii)
Foreshadowing
Foreshadowing is where, much like the witches predictions, the audience is given clues as to
what is to follow. The witches set the tone in Act I, scene i, with a storm and predictions that
Macbeth's life will become so confused he will find it difficult to differentiate between right and
wrong (fair and foul). Their later predictions foreshadow a downfall the audience is aware of
long before Macbeth is willing to accept their implications. The play itself opens with thunder
and lightning, immediately foreshadowing the tumult which will break upon the lives of all the
characters.
Company X presents ‘Wicked – The Making of Shakespeare’s Macbeth’
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Literary Devices In Macbeth
Dramatic Irony
Dramatic Irony is where actions enacted by character have a dual and often darker meaning.
Often times it is only the audience who can appreciate the dramatic irony of a scene as they
often know more than the characters in the play. When Duncan comments on the 'pleasing air'
of Macbeth's castle, the audience knows that this air will be the last he breathes (I,vi.).
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
audience, through dramatic irony, has seen the equivocations of the witches long before
Macbeth realises them.
Figurative Language
Shakespeare's mastery of language is exemplified through his use of imagery such as similes,
metaphors, personification, alliteration and symbols. Much like in poetry, Shakespeare creates
'word pictures', helping to transform the relatively bare stage into Birnam Wood or a foggy
heath. Below are several examples of Shakespeare's figurative language. This is just the tip of
the iceberg. See how many more you can find.
Disguise
Your face, my Thane, is as a book where men
May read strange matters. (I,v)
Flower imagery
Look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under it. (I,v)
Planting imagery
I have begun to plant thee, and will labour
To make thee full of growing. (I,iv)
Clothing imagery
Why do you dress me
In borrowed robes? (I,iii)
Personification:
If chance will have me King, why, chance may crown me,
Without my stir (I,iii)
Was the hope drunk
Wherein you dressed yourself? Hath it slept since? (I,vii)
Alliteration:
But now I am cabined, cribbed, confined, bound in
To saucy doubts and fears. (III, iv)
Company X presents ‘Wicked – The Making of Shakespeare’s Macbeth’
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