Examples Of Allusion In Macbeth

In Act 3, Scene 1 of Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses personification, allusion, euphemism, tone, oxymoron, and imagery to establish the theme of the difference between kingship and tyranny. Within this passage of the play, Macbeth says, “. . . come Fate into the list, / And champion me to th’utterance” (Shakespeare 3.1.72-73), which is an intelligent demonstration of personification. In the previous quote, the title character is challenging his predetermined fate, as if it were an opponent in a duel. By doing so, Macbeth is proving himself a tyrant due to the fact that he is hyperfocused on obtaining the kingship he was earlier promised by the weird sisters. A clever allusion is displayed when Macbeth says, “My genius is rebuk’d, as it is

Macbeth is becoming aware of his tyrannical behaviours, however, he is more fearful of threats to the crown and his kingship than the consequences he may face for such behaviours. This connection to kingship versus tyranny proves that kingship is honourable whereas tyranny is unjust and cruel in manner. The theme’s element of kingship is highlighted by Shakespeare’s usage of oxymoron when speaking of a “fruitless crown” (3.1.62) and “barren sceptre” (3.1.63). Fruitless and barren are terms associated with infertility while words such as crown and sceptre idealize lineage. In regards to kingship, Macbeth is hyperfocused on the fact that he has a blatant lack of heirs (which is unnatural to the throne), whereas Banquo has been prophesied to have many heirs in his bloodline. Lastly, throughout not only this passage, but the entire story of Macbeth, images are painted in the minds of readers through Shakespeare’s delicately crafted language. Imagery is an important component of Shakespeare’s works, and in Macbeth, beguiling phrases such as “Put rancors in the vessel of my peace” (3.1.68),