Examples Of Paradoxes In Macbeth

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4) In the tragic play, Macbeth, Shakespeare uses paradoxes to develop characters and themes. 5) To cultivate witches’ increasingly creepy personality, Shakespeare inserts paradoxes into their language. For example, when speaking to Banquo about his future they say, “Lesser than Macbeth, and greater. Not so happy, yet much happier” (Shakespeare 1.3.63-64). 6) By using these paradoxes, Shakespeare builds on to their character by adding a secretive and shadowy veil to their personalities. 7) Because the witches contradict themselves so frequently with unnerving predictions, like Banquo’s unhappy yet happy future, they seem more mysterious and wise to the reader. 8) In order to utilize the eerie undertones associated with paradoxes, Shakespeare