Equivocation and Double Meanings in Macbeth :: GCSE Coursework Macbeth Essays

Equivocation and Double Meanings in Macbeth Shakespe are uses equivocation not to rag but to either get across multiple meanings or to leave dialogue and events in the play open ended. Equivocation stick out be seen with the sirenes and whenever they talk. The witches are themselves a vague set of characters who talk in a puzzling riddle-like manner. For instance when Macbeth goes to see them for the second time they are very vague astir(predicate) predicting his future, intentionally confusing him and making him overly confident. An example of this riddled dialogue goes like this All (three witches) Listen, but speak not tot. Apparition Be lion-mettled, proud, and score no care Who chafes, who frets, or where conspirers are Macbeth shall never vanquishd be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill Shall come against him. Macbeth That will never be Who can impress the forest, bid the tree ... That excerpt shows how the witches twist and play with Macbeths mind an d feelings. By the end of the Apparitions lines, Macbeth is convinced he can not be killed by anyone, and so grows in confidence till seething and almost rupturing with it. It also shows Shakespeares use of equivocation and how, unless certain lines are studied, their true, if vague, meaning cannot be seen or understood. The quoted phrase, upright is foul and foul is fair is used frequently, the phrase itself is an oxymoron. Early in the play the reader sees Macbeth as the hero because he has saved all of Scotland from the Norwegians. Duncan, honor Macbeth, says, More is thy due than more than all can pay. (Act 1, Scene ) Towards the middle of the play the reader suddenly begins to pity Macbeth, slowly realizing his encroaching insanity for what it is, a downward spiral of death and increased mistakes. Finally, at the end of the play, the readers opinion of Macbeth moves more towards hate and a feeling that Macbeth is unmistakably evil. As the second witch said By the pricking o f my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes (-Act 4, Scene 1) Such is Macbeths fair to foul story in a flash. There is also maam Macbeth, Macduff, Malcolm, and Donalbain, and perhaps even Banquo. Each of these characters development follows the fair is foul and foul is fair format.