Free Macbeth Essays: Character, Language, Atmosphere and Irony :: Macbeth essays

Character, Language, Atmosphere and Irony in Macbeth What kind of quite a little ar the characters in this drama? How can we decide? Characters in Shakespearian drama are judged by (i) their actions (ii) what others say of them (iii) what they themselves say in prevalent (iv) by what they say in monologue, i.e. when thinking aloud or in asides . We tend to judge people by their actions and by what they say in public, but these are not always a true disapproval of the real character people do not always pause themselves to others, so we can only accept this evidence with reservation. In Macbeth we assume that Duncan has been deceived by the first Thane of Cawdor whom he considered to have been a gentleman on whom I built An absolute trust yet who was guilty of treason. once again Lady Macbeths words to Duncan, Act I, Sc. vi Your servants ever Have theirs, themselves, and what is theirs, in compt, To make their audit at your highness pleasure, Still to return your own, are spo ken shortly after she has decided that he will be murdered. Only when they think aloud,(soliloquy), can we accept without reservation what they say. In soliloquy lies truth. At the same time there are opposite interpretations of a soliloquy, and of the tone in which it is spoken. It all depends on the readers attitude. It is a pricy approach to be open-minded, to attempt to look at both sides of the question, sooner arriving at a conclusion. Language In MacbethLanguageLanguage is make up of words and sounds it is concerned with creating effect by producing images and by placing words. It includes syntax, verbiage and even tone. Imagery involves the working of the senses, the vivid description of an odour, a melody, a visual picture, of taste or touch. Syntax refers to the order of words in a sentence, the length of sentences. It is associated with diction and imagery, e.g. in the use of inversion (changing the average order of words often for emphasis), eclipses (omitting certa in words) and antithesis (setting one word or idea against another with the object of heightening the effect of what is said). Diction is the writers alternative of words. The dramatist whitethorn use religious terms, technical terms, dialect, or may even create words. He may use multi-syllabic words, or monosyllabic words. The imagery in Shakespeare has been discussed elsewhere.