Literary Devices in Macbeth: Text Response Assessment Preparation

L

L

i

i

t

t

e

e

r

r

a

a

r

r

y

y

D

D

e

e

v

v

i

i

c

c

e

e

s

s

i

i

n

n

M

M

a

a

c

c

b

b

e

e

t

t

h

h

Preparation for the Text Response Assessment Task

Preparation for the Text Response Assessment Task

A

A

s

s

i

i

d

d

e

e

•

Words spoken by an actor

Words spoken by an actor

sometimes a loud whisper

sometimes a loud whisper

which are heard by the

which are heard by the

audience, but are not supposed

audience, but are not supposed

to be heard by the other

to be heard by the other

characters on the stage.

characters on the stage.

I

I

m

m

a

a

g

g

e

e

r

r

y

y

•

An image is a word or a group of words which suggests a

An image is a word or a group of words which suggests a

sensation. Thus an object, a sound, a movement, a smell

sensation. Thus an object, a sound, a movement, a smell

can all be images. Imagery is figurative and involves

can all be images. Imagery is figurative and involves

associations. For example, Lady Macbeth says:

associations. For example, Lady Macbeth says:

•

“The raven himself is hoarse

“The raven himself is hoarse

•

The croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan”

The croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan”

•

The image of the raven is particularly appropriate be-

The image of the raven is particularly appropriate be-

cause ravens were often seen cleaning the hones of those

cause ravens were often seen cleaning the hones of those

who had been executed. Duncan is going to his death and

who had been executed. Duncan is going to his death and

it is as if the raven anticipate-s the meal he might make of

it is as if the raven anticipate-s the meal he might make of

Duncan’s corpse. The word “hoarse” suggests that the

Duncan’s corpse. The word “hoarse” suggests that the

raven had been making a noise for some time as it looks

raven had been making a noise for some time as it looks

forward to Duncan’s “fatal entrance” into the castle, and as

forward to Duncan’s “fatal entrance” into the castle, and as

a result its voice is now “croaking”. Both “hoarse” and

a result its voice is now “croaking”. Both “hoarse” and

“croaks” have unpleasant associations that would be fitting

“croaks” have unpleasant associations that would be fitting

to a creature that feeds off dead bodies.  In addition, the

to a creature that feeds off dead bodies.  In addition, the

raven is traditionally associated with evil omens. A raven

raven is traditionally associated with evil omens. A raven

seen croaking near a building was believed to be

seen croaking near a building was believed to be

“speaking” of an approaching danger to the inhabitants of

“speaking” of an approaching danger to the inhabitants of

that building.

that building.

V

V

e

e

r

r

b

b

a

a

l

l

I

I

r

r

o

o

n

n

y

y

•

Irony  - verbal  occurs when a character is aware or unaware that

Irony  - verbal  occurs when a character is aware or unaware that

there is a hidden meaning behind what is said.  Irony occurs when

there is a hidden meaning behind what is said.  Irony occurs when

a character is aware or unaware that there is a hidden meaning

a character is aware or unaware that there is a hidden meaning

behind what is said.

behind what is said.

•

usually a contrast between what is said and the underlying

usually a contrast between what is said and the underlying

meaning. For example, when Duncan’s visit is announced Lady

meaning. For example, when Duncan’s visit is announced Lady

Macbeth says:

Macbeth says:

•

“He that’s coming

“He that’s coming

•

Must be provided for”

Must be provided for”

•

She can be understood on two levels: she is referring to her

She can be understood on two levels: she is referring to her

duties as a hostess, but she is also saving that arrangements

duties as a hostess, but she is also saving that arrangements

must be made to murder Duncan. The contrast between the two

must be made to murder Duncan. The contrast between the two

meanings is clear.

meanings is clear.

D

D

r

r

a

a

m

m

a

a

t

t

i

i

c

c

I

I

r

r

o

o

n

n

y

y

•

Irony of situation - Dramatic irony

Irony of situation - Dramatic irony

•

As in verbal irony, contrast is involved. In ironical

As in verbal irony, contrast is involved. In ironical

situations there is a contrast between what

situations there is a contrast between what

someone thinks or says and the true state of

someone thinks or says and the true state of

affairs. For example, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

affairs. For example, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth

think they will achieve great happiness by killing

think they will achieve great happiness by killing

Duncan. But this contrasts with (is opposite to) the

Duncan. But this contrasts with (is opposite to) the

true state of affairs which involves the loss of all

true state of affairs which involves the loss of all

their happiness.

their happiness.

•

It is also ironical that Lady Macbeth sees herself

It is also ironical that Lady Macbeth sees herself

as “strong” and Macbeth as “weak”. This view

as “strong” and Macbeth as “weak”. This view

contrasts with the true state of affairs – Lady

contrasts with the true state of affairs – Lady

Macbeth collapses under the strain of her evil

Macbeth collapses under the strain of her evil

deeds, but Macbeth finds the strength to carry on.

deeds, but Macbeth finds the strength to carry on.

a contrast between what is said and the underlying

a contrast between what is said and the underlying

meaning. For example, when Duncan’s visit is

meaning. For example, when Duncan’s visit is

announced Lady Macbeth says:

announced Lady Macbeth says:

M

M

e

e

t

t

a

a

p

p

h

h

o

o

r

r

•

A metaphor is sometimes defined as a

A metaphor is sometimes defined as a

“condensed comparison” a “condensed simile

“condensed comparison” a “condensed simile

without the link words’’

without the link words’’

•

— Peter is a bean-pole.

— Peter is a bean-pole.

•

— He is an angry dog.

— He is an angry dog.

•

A metaphor is probably the commonest

A metaphor is probably the commonest

feature of poetry. It has the power to

feature of poetry. It has the power to

condense two or more worlds of experience,

condense two or more worlds of experience,

and so creates associations. It brings together

and so creates associations. It brings together

two totally different objects arid gives us a

two totally different objects arid gives us a

new insight into them. For example, when

new insight into them. For example, when

Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth, “O full of

Macbeth says to Lady Macbeth, “O full of

scorpions is my mind, dear wife” the metaphor

scorpions is my mind, dear wife” the metaphor

is particularly rich in associations.

is particularly rich in associations.

S

S

i

i

m

m

i

i

l

l

e

e

•

The simile is a form of comparison

The simile is a form of comparison

of two things from different

of two things from different

categories. The word linking the two

categories. The word linking the two

compared things is very often “as”,

compared things is very often “as”,

“like” or “than”. For example:

“like” or “than”. For example:

•

— Peter is as tall as a bean-pole.

— Peter is as tall as a bean-pole.

•

— He looked like an angry dog.

— He looked like an angry dog.

•

"And pity, like a naked new-born

"And pity, like a naked new-born

babe." Act I, Scene 7

babe." Act I, Scene 7

S

S

o

o

l

l

i

i

l

l

o

o

q

q

u

u

y

y

•

When a character speaks his

When a character speaks his

deepest thoughts aloud to

deepest thoughts aloud to

himself when he is alone, he

himself when he is alone, he

speaks a soliloquy or he

speaks a soliloquy or he

soliloquizes.This dramatic

soliloquizes.This dramatic

technique enables the audience

technique enables the audience

to know what is going on in the

to know what is going on in the

“privacy” of a character’s mind.

“privacy” of a character’s mind.

For example: Macbeth’s

For example: Macbeth’s

speech: “Tomorrow and

speech: “Tomorrow and

tomorrow and tomorrow”.

tomorrow and tomorrow”.

S

S

y

y

m

m

b

b

o

o

l

l

•

A symbol is an object, creature, person, action or

A symbol is an object, creature, person, action or

situation which is part of a larger unit. This larger

situation which is part of a larger unit. This larger

unit is often abstract and inexpressible, and thus

unit is often abstract and inexpressible, and thus

requires something more concrete to give at

requires something more concrete to give at

expression. For example:

expression. For example:

•

— A flag is a symbol of a nation.

— A flag is a symbol of a nation.

•

— A rose is a symbol of love.

— A rose is a symbol of love.

•

In Macbeth, Macbeth’s castle becomes a symbol

In Macbeth, Macbeth’s castle becomes a symbol

of hell when the murder of Duncan takes place.

of hell when the murder of Duncan takes place.

The witches are symbols of evil. The growing tree

The witches are symbols of evil. The growing tree

and Birnam Wood are symbols of good, of

and Birnam Wood are symbols of good, of

healthy growth. A writer often employs

healthy growth. A writer often employs

symbolism,and uses symbolic images.

symbolism,and uses symbolic images.

P

P

e

e

r

r

s

s

o

o

n

n

i

i

f

f

i

i

c

c

a

a

t

t

i

i

o

o

n

n

•

Personification is a statement which gives human characteristics to

Personification is a statement which gives human characteristics to

something which is (1) not human or (2) to an abstract idea. For

something which is (1) not human or (2) to an abstract idea. For

example:

example:

•

1. The moon smiled shyly at the lovers.

1. The moon smiled shyly at the lovers.

•

2. Time marches on.

2. Time marches on.

•

In Romeo and Juliet when Romeo first sees Juliet on the balcony, he

In Romeo and Juliet when Romeo first sees Juliet on the balcony, he

says:

says:

•

“Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon,

“Arise fair sun and kill the envious moon,

•

Who is already sack and pale with grief.”

Who is already sack and pale with grief.”

•

In Hamlet, Horatio describes daybreak in the lines:

In Hamlet, Horatio describes daybreak in the lines:

•

“But look, the morn in russet mantle clad,

“But look, the morn in russet mantle clad,

•

Walks o’er the dew of von high eastern hill.”

Walks o’er the dew of von high eastern hill.”

•

Personification is a form of metaphor.

Personification is a form of metaphor.

P

P

l

l

o

o

t

t

&

&

T

T

h

h

e

e

m

m

e

e

•

The plot is what happens in the story – it

The plot is what happens in the story – it

is the order of events as arranged by the

is the order of events as arranged by the

dramatist or the novelist. For example:

dramatist or the novelist. For example:

Macbeth murders Duncan and takes has

Macbeth murders Duncan and takes has

place on the throne of Scotland. He then

place on the throne of Scotland. He then

begins a reign of terror which leads to a

begins a reign of terror which leads to a

rebellion and ultimately his own death.

rebellion and ultimately his own death.

•

The themes are the main ideas of the

The themes are the main ideas of the

play. Theme is sometimes defined as

play. Theme is sometimes defined as

“the living idea” which emerges from the

“the living idea” which emerges from the

plot. In a very complex play such as

plot. In a very complex play such as

Macbeth there can be many themes,

Macbeth there can be many themes,

some obviously more important than

some obviously more important than

others. See the Themes section for a

others. See the Themes section for a

discussion of “theme”.

discussion of “theme”.

E

E

q

q

u

u

i

i

v

v

o

o

c

c

a

a

t

t

i

i

o

o

n

n

•

“Nothing is, but what is not.”

“Nothing is, but what is not.”

•

Example: Parent: “What time did you get in last night?”

Example: Parent: “What time did you get in last night?”

•

You (an equivocating teenager): “Well, we left the Civic

You (an equivocating teenager): “Well, we left the Civic

Center at eleven, and it’'s only a half hour drive, so there was

Center at eleven, and it’'s only a half hour drive, so there was

plenty of time to be in by midnight.”

plenty of time to be in by midnight.”

•

Were you home by midnight? You neglected to mention that

Were you home by midnight? You neglected to mention that

you stopped for pizza and took the long way home. You didn’t

you stopped for pizza and took the long way home. You didn’t

actually lie, but you deliberately tried to mislead your parent

actually lie, but you deliberately tried to mislead your parent

into believing something not true – that you met your curfew.

into believing something not true – that you met your curfew.

•

This above is an example of equivocation: the art of

This above is an example of equivocation: the art of

misleading, usually through language. An equivocator is a

misleading, usually through language. An equivocator is a

person who tries to mislead through language.

person who tries to mislead through language.

•

 a statement or event that is open to two or more

 a statement or event that is open to two or more

interpretations and is actually intended to mislead.

interpretations and is actually intended to mislead.

•

The two major elements of equivocation are:

The two major elements of equivocation are:

•

1. A lie is not actually told

1. A lie is not actually told

•

2. The truth is not told either, but a false idea is deliberately

2. The truth is not told either, but a false idea is deliberately

fostered.

fostered.

•

Macbeth equivocates; so do the witches; so does Lady

Macbeth equivocates; so do the witches; so does Lady

Macbeth. Equivocation is everywhere; the atmosphere is thick

Macbeth. Equivocation is everywhere; the atmosphere is thick

with it. The action is motivated by it.

with it. The action is motivated by it.

F

F

a

a

i

i

r

r

i

i

s

s

f

f

o

o

u

u

l

l

,

,

f

f

o

o

u

u

l

l

i

i

s

s

f

f

a

a

i

i

r

r

•

The day is indeed “fair” for Macbeth and

The day is indeed “fair” for Macbeth and

Banquo, leaders of the king’s forces, for they

Banquo, leaders of the king’s forces, for they

have defeated the rebels on the battlefield.

have defeated the rebels on the battlefield.

But the day is also “foul,” for thunder is raging

But the day is also “foul,” for thunder is raging

and lightening streaks across the sky; so “fair”

and lightening streaks across the sky; so “fair”

and “foul,” opposite in meaning, seem to

and “foul,” opposite in meaning, seem to

become equal. The witches here set the

become equal. The witches here set the

stage: little is as it seems to be.

stage: little is as it seems to be.

•

Banquo to Macbeth, after the first meeting

Banquo to Macbeth, after the first meeting

with the witches:

with the witches:

•

"oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The

"oftentimes, to win us to our harm, / The

instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us

instruments of darkness tell us truths, / Win us

with honest trifles, to betray's / In deepest

with honest trifles, to betray's / In deepest

consequence" (1.3.123-126)

consequence" (1.3.123-126)

•

What does this mean and what does it have

What does this mean and what does it have

to do with equivocation?

to do with equivocation?