Macbeth’s Head Essay

Submitted By schenck1227
Words: 714
Pages: 3
Open Document
October 15, 2013
Macbeth is the tragic tale of the rise and fall of a powerful but flawed man. Shakespeare wrote four main tragedies and out of the four Macbeth is considered the most tragic. Shakespeare is most famous for his plays but his love for writing stemmed from him writing poems; especially sonnets. Irony is used widely throughout Macbeth. Irony is the use of words that mean the opposite of what you really think. Dramatic, verbal, and situational ironies are very prevalent throughout the play.
Situational irony is when the writer shows discrepancy between the expected results of some action or situations and its actual results. A dying Sergeant while talking with King Duncan says, “Till he unseamed him from the nave to the chaps, and fixed his head upon our battlements” (Shakespeare). The Sergeant is talking about Macbeth killing the traitor Macdonwald and walking in with his head. At the end of the play Macduff walks in holding Macbeth’s head and says, “Hail King! For so thou art. Behold where stands the usurpers cursed head. The time is free” (Shakespeare). This is an example of situational irony because Macbeth was a valiant war hero and due to his outstanding achievements was crowned king after the murder of Duncan. However, he died a traitors death because of his actions. Macbeth walked in carrying Macdonwald’s head and then at the end of the play Macduff walks in carrying Macbeth’s head. This irony also represents the theme of human nature. All people are tempted by something and for Macbeth and Lady Macbeth that something was power. Macbeth had been the main reason Scotland won the war against Norway. He killed the leader of the rebel forces. But because of a prophecy that stated Macbeth would be king, he became very power hungry. His thirst for power resulted in an unquenchable appetite for murder and he goes so far as to murder anyone who poses a threat to him being king. The prophecy was very misleading. It doesn’t say when he will be king or what he will be king of but the thought of having power went to his head. Dramatic irony is when a reader or audience member perceives or knows something a character in the story or play does not know. After Macbeth proved to be an excellent warrior, Duncan stayed at the Macbeth’s castle. When Duncan enters the castle he begins to compliment the appearance, he says, “……….” (pg 191). This is dramatic irony because the audience knew of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s plan to murder Duncan while he slept. Duncan was complimenting the castle not knowing that he would be murdered that night by one of his most trusted men. This example represents the theme
Show More

Related Documents: Macbeth’s Head Essay

Macbeth's Desire For Power Analysis

position, Macbeth unlocks his inner demon and begins to claw up the ranks, killing every possible threat to satisfy his desire for more and more power. The end result of Macbeth’s struggles for power do not justify the means he takes to get there. Macbeth’s desire for power causes him to illogically cement and further this goal. Macbeth’s desire for power makes him greedy, which causes him to go against human decency. In the play, Macbeth is made…

Words 1559 - Pages 7

Turning Points In Macbeth Essay

really had none of the qualities he started with. Two of the most significant turning points in the play was Macbeth’s two visits with the witches. The first visit gave him a very eerie idea of his future, and the second visit gave Macbeth a false sense of confidence that would soon ruin him. The roles of these witches are very important because they are an essential influence on Macbeth’s big change from good to evil. The first visit with the witches was eerie and unclear. Macbeth just fought a…

Words 841 - Pages 4

The Tragedy Of Macbeth Essay

too trusting if those he allows close to him. His first mistake was making Macbeth the Thane of Caudor leading to his eventual murder by Macbeth. Malcolm- The eldest son of King Duncan, he flees to England after the King’s mysterious murder in Macbeth’s castle. In England he shows his cleverness and fitness for rule by testing Macduff to make sure he is not a Macbeth spy and by suggesting the soldiers disguise their attack by all holding branches cut from Birnam Wood in front of them. He becomes…

Words 525 - Pages 3

Macbeth Essay

scene from the original script to film caused only minor dialogic changes. However, the director’s interpretation alters the viewer’s depiction of the scene by the way he portrays Macbeth’s first conversation, Macbeth’s confession about killing the guards, and Lady Macbeth’s fainting. The behavior of Macbeth just before the discovery of Duncan’s body is important because it is the first time that Macbeth has to lie with the possession of a guilty conscience…

Words 481 - Pages 2

Examples Of Hallucinations In Macbeth

follow the destruction of Macbeth, but to explain how and why he fell. Moreover, Macbeth’s hallucinations show the psychological repercussions of committing an unforgivable crime. The vision of the dagger first shows Macbeth’s transition from noble to evil. As the apparition appears before him, he ponders whether it is real or not, asking “art thou but / a dagger of the mind, a false creation / Proceeding from the head-oppresséd brain” (2.1.49-51)? In this moment, Macbeth is committed to the murder…

Words 525 - Pages 3

How Does Shakespeare Present Ambition In Macbeth

flaw. The driving force of ambition ultimately results in the downfall, unhappiness and eventual death of the Macbeth’s. The presence of ambition is often exhibited using theatrical techniques displayed through language, stagecraft and symbolism. Ambition is displayed using dramatic techniques, which allow the audience to better understand Macbeth and his wife as individuals. Macbeth’s dangerous ambition to become king is first displayed in act 1 scenes 3 and 4, when it becomes evident that Macbeth…

Words 886 - Pages 4

The Poisoned Intestines In Macbeth

death. “Round about the cauldron go, /In the poisoned entrails throw.” (4, 1, 4-5) Just as the witches used dismembered parts of humans, animals, and plants, Macbeth’s head, would be severed from his body and hung on a spike. “Hail, king! For so thou art: /behold, where stands /The usurper’s cursed head: the time is free:” (5, 8, 55-56) Macbeth’s dismemberment served poetic justice and he got what he deserved. He killed many people during his reign. Some examples of this are the following: Macdonwald…

Words 232 - Pages 1

Macduff's Role In Macbeth

In William Shakespeare's work Macbeth, we see Macbeth's rise to power and fall from what can only be described as ‘grace.’ Macbeth’s kill count is innumerable and devastates many lives in his rise to power. One of these affected by Macbeth’s rampage and madness is the Scottish nobleman, Macduff. Macduff’s entire life is turned upside down and torn apart by Macbeth when he takes it upon himself to save his country of Scotland that he loves so dearly. With the spirit of vengeance at his back, he leads…

Words 885 - Pages 4

Hail Macbeth Essay examples

Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Glamis! All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor! All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!” (Shakespeare 17). Their tone is taunting and playful as if they are almost enjoying their power to play with Macbeth’s emotions. They are very unspecific and mysterious as to the details of this prophecy leaving Macbeth lingering with curiosity and greed that grows over time. The witches planned to meet him and to tell him this prophecy to purposely trigger this…

Words 1039 - Pages 5

Examples Of Similes In Macbeth

style in his writing. In his play Macbeth, it tells a story of greed and power. In Macbeth, there are three strange witches who give a prophecy to Macbeth saying he will be king and that Banquo’s children will be kings, this information gets into Macbeth’s head and he wants power. When Macbeth sees an opportunity to become king, he takes it, killing King Duncan. Macbeth becomes king, but not without consequences, Macbeth realizes that he does not want to lose his place as king so he hires two murderers…

Words 1059 - Pages 5