MACBETH TECHNIQUES USED BY SHAKESPEARE TO ENHANCE MEANING
You will need to be able to discuss how meaning was created in the play. Make sure
that you are familiar with the following terminology and that you can apply it.
TECHNIQUE
DEFINITION
Antithesis
When two words of
opposite or
contrasting meaning
are used to together
to give balance
EXAMPLE FROM
MACBETH
Fair is foul, and foul
is fair (Act I, Scene
I)
Juxtaposition
King Duncan and
Macbeth
Macbeth and
Banquo
Oxymoron
So foul and fair a
day I have not seen
(Act I, Scene III)
So foul and fair a
day I have not seen
(Act I, Scene III)
Paradox
Rhyming Couplet
Triad
Motif
Apostrophe
Theme
Irony
An address to an
absent or imaginary
person or an
abstract quality or
idea
Ambition
Nature
Guilt
Order vs chaos
Light and dark
Sleep
Fate
Loyalty
PURPOSE
Illustrates the
duality that
underpins the
play
Emphasises
good and evil
that exists
within society
and within the
self
Nothing is as it
seems
Good and bad
exists – duality
of the life….
Dramatic Irony
Binary Opposition
Placing two things
that are complete
opposites together
to contrast them
Natural vs
unnatural
Good vs evil
Light vs dark
Noises that are
made during the
play such as music,
bells, cries etc
Ringing of the bell
to indicate murder
Foreshadowing
Symbolism
Foil
Metonymy
Personification
Hyperbole
Pun
Metaphor
Allusion
Imagery
Register
Repetition
Aside
Onomatopoeia
Sound
Tragic hero
Hamartia
Hubris
Mood
Tension
Tone
Atmosphere
Soliloquy
Prose
Off stage
Iambic Pentameter
Internal conflict
External conflict
A reflection of the
attitude of the writer
used to create the
mood, it is used to
convey the attitude
of the writer. Relies
on diction, imagery,
language and
syntax. It can
change.
Macbeth’s fear
contributes to the
tone of suspense,
trepidation in Act I
Scene III. Lady
Macbeth’s
determination and
evil desire
contribute to a
sinister tone in Act
I, Scene V.
Change in Lady
Macbeth’s tone
when the
messenger enters
Act I, Scene V
Support theme
Create tension
Illustrate the
attributes of the
character