Literary Devices Used In Macbeth Essay -- essays research papers

Literary Devices used in MacbethImagine how dull a Shakespearian play would be without the ingenious literary devices and techniques that contribute so much to the fulfillment of its reader or viewer. Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is a tragedy that combines fact and falsehood to tell the story of an eleventh century king. Shakespeare uses numerous types of literary techniques to make this tragic play more appealing. Three literary devices that Shakespeare uses to make Macbeth more arouse and effective are satire, symbolism, and imagery.One technique that Shakespeare uses is irony. Verbal irony is when a character says one thing but means the opposite. When a reader understands the irony of what a character is saying, then he can truly understand the nature and intentions of the character. An example of verbal irony is when Macbeth says to Banquo, Tonight we hold a direful supper, sir,/ And Ill request your presence (Macbeth 3.1.13-14). The reader soon discovers that Banquo nev er makes it to the banquet because he is brutally murdered by order of Macbeth. Shakespeare also uses situation irony. This occurs when the results of an motion or event are different than what is expected. An example of situation irony occurs when Macduff talks to Malcolm and discusses the tragedies that are taking place in Scotland. Without knowing that his own family has been dispatch Macduff says, Each new morn/ New widows howl, new orphans cry, new sorrows/ Strike heaven on the fac...