Month: October 2016

A Paradox is when a statement or proposition is very unreasonable but when investigated it may prove to be true.

“Fair is foul, foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air.” This is a paradox because fair can’t be foul and foul can’t be fair as they are two completely different things. However when investigated someone (Macbeth) could be both as he is about to commit treason but has been a loyal soldier.

Metaphysics is when you act like something or someone is real. It may or may not be real but normally is not.

“You should be women, and yet your beards forbid me to interpret that you are so.” This shows how Banquo has metaphorically described the witches when we do not know if their existence is real or not.

Another example which should be more lucid is once the three witches are introduced in the beginning of the play telling Macbeth three prophesies. “He will be thane of Cawdor, thane of glams and king.” These prophesies introduce Macbeth into the ideas of greatness, he will eventually follow through killing king Duncan. This brings into the play, the idea of fate. Macbeth is not or has not been announced as king yet so it’s not reality right now.

Pathetic fallacy is when the mood in a peice of the play is interpreted by the weather and natural environment.

An example is in Act 1 Scene 1, “Fair is foul, foul is fair. Hover through the fog and filthy air.”

This is an example of pathetic fallacy as this quote has shown how the mood of the play being “foul” interpreted by the weather being ” foggy and filthy”.

Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something which part/ or all of the cast does not know.

For example in Macbeth “Act 1 Scene 4”, Macbeth was saying “aside” how he had to become king. “The prince of Cumberland! That is a step on which I must fall down, or else o’erleap, for in my way it lies.”

This is a clear indication of Macbeths venomous attempt to become king.

First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,
Strong both against the deed; then, as his host,
Who should against his murderer shut the door,
Not bear the knife myself.

This shows Macbeth saying that he is ment to be one of the kings most trusted men but he yet is still going kill him by a knife, he is saying that is wrong.

Besides, this Duncan
Hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been
So clear in his great office, that his virtues
Will plead like angels, trumpet-tongu’d, against
The deep damnation of his taking-off;

In this passage Macbeth is clearly indicating how much of a good king Duncan is praising his great aspects and saying the angels will acknowledge that once he dies. This is a lot of praise for a man he is willing to kill for his own benefit. Demonstrating how great he thinks of Duncan and the first peice demonstrating his guilt and disloyalty.

Overal you can tell he is contemplating whether or not he should participate in his pursuit to become king in a forceful action.