Equivocation and Double Meanings in Macbeth :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

Equivocation and Double Meanings in Macbeth Shakespeare uses equivocation not to confuse but to either get crossways multiple meanings or to leave dialogue and events in the play make ended. Equivocation give the gate be seen with the witches and whenever they talk. The witches are themselves a vague clique of characters who talk in a puzzling riddle-like manner. For instance when Macbeth goes to see them for the arcminute time they are very vague about predicting his future, intention all toldy perplexing him and making him overly confident. An example of this riddled dialogue goes like this each(prenominal) (three witches) Listen, but speak not tot. Apparition Be lion-mettled, proud, and take no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are Macbeth shall never vanquishd be until Great Birnam forest to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him. Macbeth That will never be Who can impress the forest, bid the tree ... That excerpt shows how the witches twist a nd play with Macbeths sound judgement and feelings. By the end of the Apparitions lines, Macbeth is convinced he can not be killed by anyone, and so grows in confidence till seething and closely rupturing with it. It also shows Shakespeares use of equivocation and how, unless certain lines are studied, their true, if vague, meaning cannot be seen or understood. The quoted express, clean is choke down and foul is fair is used frequently, the phrase itself is an oxymoron. Early in the play the reader sees Macbeth as the hero because he has saved all of Scotland from the Norwegians. Duncan, honoring Macbeth, says, More is thy due than more than all can pay. (Act 1, Scene ) Towards the middle of the play the reader suddenly begins to forbearance Macbeth, slowly realizing his encroaching insanity for what it is, a downward spiral of demolition and increased mistakes. Finally, at the end of the play, the readers opinion of Macbeth moves more towards hate and a feeling that Macbeth is unmistakably evil. As the second witch said By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes (-Act 4, Scene 1) Such is Macbeths fair to foul story in a flash. There is also Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, and Donalbain, and possibly even Banquo. Each of these characters development follows the fair is foul and foul is fair format.