| Symbolism | Definition- an object representing something else to give it a different meaning that is more important to the writing and is more significant Quote- Act III, scene 4, lines 61-62″Thou canst not say I did it. Never shake Thy glory locks at me.”Explanation- Macbeth says that no one can prove he killed Banquo but he stillfeels guilty. That’s the reason he is the only one that can see Banquos ghost. The ghost symbolizes Macbeths guilty conscience. |
| Foreshadow | Definition- a indication of a future event that is going to take place Example- Act III, scene 4, pg.104″Blood will have blood”Explanation- violence will only instigate more violence. The killing of Banquo will only lead to more murders. |
| Soliliquy | Definition- a person in the play speaking their thoughts out loud. No one else can hear them besides the audience Example- “to be thus is nothing but to be safely thus”Explanation- Macbeth feels unsafe after killing Banquo. He is scared that he is going to get caught. He explains there is no point to be king if he is never truly safe. |
| Dramatic irony | Definition- irony that is inherent in speeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the audience but not grasped by the character in the play Example-Act III, scene 2, line 12″What’s done is done”Explanation- Macbeth feels guilty, however Lady Macbeth tells him to stop worrying about it and move on. There is nothing he can do because he already killed the king. However Macbeth does not know that Lady Macbeth also feels scared and guilty. Only the audience knows how worried Lady Macbeth actually feels |
| Metaphor | Definition- a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable Example- act III, scene 4″There is a grown serpent lie; the worm that’s fledExplanation- the serpent is Banquo and the worm is Fleance |
Macbeth Act III Literary Devices
August 16, 2019