Paradoxes and contradictions presented in Macbeth

Paradoxes and contradictions presented in Macbeth Paradoxes and contradictions (foul and attractive, and so on) presented in Macbeth In William Shakespeares calamity, Macbeth, readers are introduced to a harsh human being of war, carrying into action and treachery. At the beginning of the play three witches tell Macbeth that in his life cartridge clip he will become Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, as well as the superpower of Scotland. At prototypal Macbeth is slow to believe the prediction of the witches, but after(prenominal) the first cardinal prophecies come to fruition Macbeth becomes power hungry. Through by the swordplay readers see both the rise and fall of Macbeth. Macbeths coming to power, through soul-destroying and immoral means, creates a orbit of mis self-confidence in most, if not all, characters. Shakespeare exploits this world of uncertainty and barbarous by adding many contradictions and paradoxes pertaining to self-assertion and dimness. After the authentic murder of Duncan in Macbeths castle characters become very uneasy because thither is obviously a traitor among them. Trust becomes a big sleep together among those in the castle, and others concerned for the well being of Scotland. Shakespeare emphasizes the trust versus mistrust contract by using specific literary devices. In the very first scene one of the witches utters the famous paradox, Fair is foul and foul is fair (1.1.) This paradox means that appearances can be very deceiving and thither is finely line between good/evil and trust/mistrust. Before the murder of Duncan Macbeth has an Gillis 2internal battle with his conscience, he reflects on the fact that Duncan is here in double trust. There are in fact two reasons for him to be protecting the King. He says, Hes here in double trust/ First, as I am his kinsman and his subject,/ Strong both against the statute title then, as his host,/ Who should against his murderer shut the door,/ Not bear the knife mysel f. (1.7.). Ultimately Macbeths leap ambition(1.7) overrides his conscience and he does murder Duncan in his own castle. After the deed is committed Macbeth panics. He sees ghosts and believes that he will never sleep again. skirt Macbeth reminds him that he must keep remain calm and entomb his sin to maintain the trust of the other members of the Kings party. False face must hide what the false heart doth know(1.7.). Hiding the truth is Macbeth and Lady Macbeth main focus, on with attempting to murder anyone who stands in the air of the continuation of their royal linage. The question of who to trust is also seen when Macduff travels to England to seek the help of Malcolm, Malcolm tests him by making himself out to be a tyrant that has no interest in kingly duties and MacDuff reacts with despair, O my breast,/ Thy hope ends here(4.3.) Malcolm then decides that MacDuff is indeed a loyal champion of Scotland and he may trust him. The uneasiness of the characters is amplified b y Shakespeares emphasis on trust. It is extremely difficult to tell your friends from your enemies when a traitor is among them. Shakespeare also uses illuminate and darkness to enhance the images of good and evil throughout the play. Macbeth often makes speech to darkness as if he is shamefully trying to run out and hide from his thoughts and actions. Even before the murder of Duncan he feels guilty. Macbeth says, Stars hide your fires,/ permit not dizzy see my black Gillis 3and deepest desires(1.4.) The darkness of the shadow is then embraced my both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth as they attempt to hide their evil deeds from the public eye. It seems as though the characters in Macbeth believe that the loom of darkness is needed when committing acts of violence and corruption. The witches are also associated with darkness. Banquo refers to them as instruments of darkness (1.3) and Macbeth calls them secret, black, and midnight hags(4.1) These references give readers a sense th at the witches are mischievous and evil sort of than simply the messengers of good news and predictors of great fortunes. The darkness also seems to obscure the lines between reality and the supernatural. All of the appearances of the witches occur during the night deep in the wood, where it is hard to tell reality apart from a paranoid imagination. The light and your eyes may play tricks on you causing you to think or believe something fictional. This is why Shakespeare only had the witches materialize under these circumstances, to enhance the picture of the supernatural. Light is also used as a metaphor for life. In Macbeths final soliloquy he says, And all our yesterdays have lighted fools/ The way to dusty death. Out, out brief candle (5.5.) Shakespeare compares life to the flame of a candle. The candle can be extinguished easily and in the specious scheme of things it only burns for a tremendously small come up of time. It does not matter how long the candle has been bur ning it can be blown out at any point. This is an especially interesting analogy because those murdered in Macbeth are of all ages, from King Duncan to Macduffs children. Throughout this tragedy Shakespeare uses many literary devices to make certain aspects of his writing stand out to the reader. The paradoxes, contradictions and metaphorsGillis 4 used in Macbeth constructed a sort of onstage world where it is impossible to trust anyone. At any point there could be someone hidden in the darkness ready to take your life. Scotland has been enveloped in a shadow of darkness, and the result is disorder, chaos and murder.