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Examples Of Figurative Language In Macbeth

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The Tragedy of Macbeth written by William Shakespeare deals with the concepts of power, ambition, evil and fear. One particular scene in the play seems to deal with more of the concepts of fear and power, as well as feeling nothing. In Act 5, Scene 5, Shakespeare uses differing types of figurative language to add to the somber tone and dark nature of the scene/play.
In this scene, Macbeth is preparing to go to war with the people who were once on his side. He feels rather confident in a winning outcome, when he hears the cry of women. “I have almost forgot the taste of fears: The time has been, my senses would have cooled To hear a night-shriek, and my fell of hair Would at a dismal treatise rouse and stir As life were in’t. I have supped full horrors. Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts, Cannot once start me.” (5.5.9-15). At the beginning of this quote, Shakespeare uses the metaphor “the taste of fears” to describe how Macbeth has forgotten what fear feels like. This quote adds to the dark nature of the play because Macbeth is telling the audience that he doesn’t feel fear anymore due to all of the horrendous crimes he’s committed. Horrible things are so familiar to him that they …show more content…

Macbeth feels as though there is no real purpose in life anymore, and his level of apathy signifies his breaking point. The concept of fear is seen in this scene when Macbeth first says he does not know what that feels like anymore, but later on it is something he feels rather prominently after establishing that life is meaningless. Power is a concept dealt with because this is when the audience realizes that Macbeth no longer is feeling angry or passionate about winning, but rather fearful of losing. Macbeth’s lust for power has ultimately destroyed everything he once held dear, and he is beginning to understand that he will not be able to hold on to his power for much

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Upon hearing the prophecy, Macbeth admits, "Present fears are less than horrible imaginings" (Shakespeare 1.3 139). This shows that Macbeth having the mere thought of gaining power sends chills down Macbeth's spine. This highlights his inner turmoil and the allure of absolute authority. Also, Macbeth conveys his determination to safeguard his power, stating, "To be thus is nothing, but to be safely thus" (Shakespeare 3.1 47). This illustrates Macbeth's growing obsession with preserving his position, even at the expense of innocent lives.

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The play Macbeth, written by Shakespeare, takes place in England and Scotland during the 11th century. Macbeth is a famous warrior known by many others in Scotland, his end goal is to become king. Unfortunately for Macbeth the noble Duncan gets named king, quickly Macbeth devises a plan and ends up killing Duncan. After Macbeth killed Duncan it is obvious he is uneasy based on how he is speaking, his mind has been completely infiltrated by thoughts of murder; Shakespeare uses diction to represent this using a subtle word choice by Macbeth to refer to Macbeth’s past deeds and future plans. While Macbeth is devising another plan to kill a noble named Banquo and his son who is set to succeed Macbeth, Macbeth shows how everything has gotten to him by talking

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