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Macbeth - Act 2, scene 3

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Last updated: Fri, Jul 31, 2015

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Act 2, scene 3.

A drunken porter, answering the knocking at the gate, plays the role of a devil-porter at the gates of hell. He admits Macduff and Lennox, who have come to wake Duncan. Macbeth appears and greets them. Macduff exits to wake Duncan, then returns to announce Duncan’s murder. Macbeth and Lennox go to see for themselves. When they return, Lennox announces that Duncan’s servants are the murderers. Macbeth reveals that he has slain the servants. When his motives are questioned, Lady Macbeth interrupts by calling for help for herself. Duncan’s sons, Malcolm and Donalbain, plan to flee for their lives—Malcolm to England, Donalbain to Ireland.

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• This scene sets the tone of the play.
• The Supernatural
• Equivocation

The devices used are

• “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”
• “When the battle’s lost, and won”
• Confusing, enigmatic language Macbeth is introduced in absentia. This forebodes the link between him and the witches.

In this scene, the audience understands how all of the other characters view Macbeth, which develops their understanding of his character. The audience also learns of his promotion to the Thane of Cawdor, which improves their view of Macbeth’s stature.

Devices used

• “Doubtful it stood as two spent swimmers that do cling together and choke their art.”
• “Bellona’s Bridegroom” - Greek Allusion
• “Or memorise another Golgotha” - massacre (biblical allusion)
• “Like Valour’s minion carved out his passage”
• “Like a rebel’s whore”
• “And Fortune on his damnèd quarrel smiling”
• “Valour’s minion”
• “Disdaining Fortune”
• “Brandished steel”
• “Smoked with bloody execution”
• “Carved out his passage”
• Very positive diction
• “brave Macbeth”
• “valiant cousin”
• “noble Macbeth”
• “worthy gentleman

We see Duncan and Macbeth interacting for the first time.

These themes are developed

• Appearance vs. Reality “The service and loyalty I owe”
• Violence “Stars, hide your fires, Let not light see my black and deep desires”.
• Supernatural
• Ambition This scene shows Duncan’s
• Gratitude “True, worthy Banquo, he is full so valiant” & “It is a peerless kinsman.”
• Generosity “
• Good qualities intensifies the impact of his death later in the play.
• Gullibility

Major devices

• Duncan trusts Macbeth, while the audience knows he should not
• Duncan says “absolute trust”, then Macbeth enters immediately
• Exaggeration
• Masculinity
• Appearance vs. Reality

Characterisation

• Lady Macbeth invoking her evil qualities shows her masculine qualities and how she is the ‘man’ in the relationship.
• Lady Macbeth has been portrayed as more of an evil, masculine character than a feminine one, which reverses gender roles in society at the time. This makes the scene striking, and makes Lady Macbeth stand out.
• His intimate relationship with Lady Macbeth is shown by the use of phrases such as “my dearest partner of greatness” and “my dearest love”.
• This gives another perspective on Macbeth to the audience, allowing for pathos to be created later. It shows what his partner thinks of him, as a man without strength or ambition.

Major Devices

• Lady Macbeth’s soliloquy
• Parallelism between Macbeth’s earlier asides and the soliloquy
• Verbal irony
• Letter is a dramatic device
• Appearance vs. reality
• Manipulative
• Strong willed
• “the temple-haunting martlet, approve By his loving mansionry that the heaven’s breath Smelling wooingly here.”
• “Air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself.”
• Through Lady Macbeth being over generous to Duncan
• Dilemma/conflict within
• Use of euphemisms “assassination”, “surcease”, “this blow”, “these cases”, “the deed”, “taking-off”, “my intent”.
• Moral appeal not to kill Duncan “He’s here in double trust First, as I am his kinsman and his subject, Strong both against the deed; then, as his host, Who should against his murderer shut the door, Not bear the knife myself.”, “he hath honoured me of late”, “
• Consequences of killing Duncan “This even-handed justice commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice to our own lips”, “bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th’inventor”
• “This blow might be the be-all and the end-all”
• “Vaulting ambition which o’erleaps itself”
• “Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?”
• “Art thou afeard To be the same in thine own act and valour As thou art in desire?”
• “live a coward in thine own esteem, Letting ‘I dare not’ wait upon ‘I would,’ Like the poor cat I’ the adage?”
• “I would, while it was smiling in my face, Have pluck’d my nipple from his boneless gums, And dash’d the brains out”
• Food being brought in to serve Duncan in the background[ironic because food symbolises life and Macbeth is going to take that very life.”
• “assassination”, “surcease”, “this blow”, “these cases”, “the deed”, “taking-off”, “my intent”.
• Personification
• “Cat I’ the adage” Contemporary allusion
• “Poisoned chalice” Biblical allusion. Jesus was supposed to drink from the chalice.
• “Bloody instructions, which being taught, return to plague th’inventor.” It references to how the murder is taught to other people (Macduff) and then he comes back to kill the inventor (Macbeth)
• “This even-handed justice Commends th’ingredience of our poisoned chalice To our own lips.” It also references that
• Guilt and Dilemma
• Inner turmoil
• “Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible To feeling as to sight?”, “Mine eyes are made the fools o’ the other senses” → cannot trust his own senses. This hints that he is unable to cope with the pressure of the decision, and is slowly sinking into madness
• “art thou but A dagger of the mind, a false creation, Proceeding from the heat-oppressed brain?” → talking to inanimate objects, it is clear that Macbeth’s ‘heat-oppressed’ brain is being bent by the moral weight of the decision to kill Duncan
• “Thy very stones prate of my whereabout”
• “I think not of them [the witches]”, dramatic irony.
• “Being unprepared [for the arrival of Duncan]” → this is untrue, and ironic, as the Macbeths were plotting Duncan’s murder very intently.
• Tragic hero
• compares himself to bad creatures (nightmares, witchcraft, murder, Tarquin) that harm innocent victims; shows that he is aware that his decision is morally wrong
• “but still keep My bosom franchised and allegiance clear, I shall be counsell’d.”
• “Hold, take my sword.”
• “At your kind’st leisure.”
• “This diamond he greets your wife withal, By the name of most kind hostess; and shut up In measureless content.”
• “Restrain in me the cursed thoughts that nature\ Gives way to in repose!”

Devices and techniques

• Kind hostess → Lady Macbeth is secretly plotting his murder
• “The moon is down; I have not heard the clock.”
• “There’s husbandry in heaven; Their candles are all out.”
• “Towards his design, moves like a ghost” → compares himself to bad creatures; sense of mystery?
• “A heavy summons lies like lead upon me” → Legal jargon; desperate desire to sleep revealed
• “merciful powers, Restrain in me the cursed thoughts” → shows he too is only human, thinking about the prophecies; foil to macbeth - deeply disturbed but does not take any actions to make them come true
• “Thou sure and firm-set earth”
• Cursed thoughts → prophecies
• Shut up in measureless content → (hyperbolic) asleep (dramatic irony as we know his life is in danger)
• Such an instrument → dagger
• Bloody business → murder
• Thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood → symbolic manifestation of Macbeth’s guilt
• “There’s husbandry in heaven….all out” → compares stars to candles; emphasizes lack of light; builds the immensely dark atmosphere
• “Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knell\ That summons thee to heaven or to hell.” → gives a sense of finality to the scene, which is reflected in the irrevocable nature of regicide.
• Wicked dreams abuse the curtained sleep → sense of impending doom and chaos is built up;
• Stones prate of my whereabouts
• Pale Hecate’s off’rings
• Tarquin’s ravishing strides
• Knell → death bell
• Lady Macbeth’s violent nature
• Made them drunk hath made me bold → paradoxical idea; effect of alcohol; peers through LMB’s facade
• What hath quenched….me fire → hyperbole
• Owl, crickets → Ill omen of death
• Sternest goodnight → death
• Done the deed → murder
• Given me fire → keeps her awake
• Hath given me fire
• Fatal bellman
• Hangman’s hands → guilt, alliteration
• Sleep that knits up…sleeve of care
• Death of each day’s life → each day end is marked by sleep
• Sore labour’s bath → oasis after hard physical work
• Balm of hurt minds → heals mental and emotional breakage
• Great nature’s second course
• Chief nourisher in life’s feast
• Shows guilt and fear
• “A little water clears us of this deed”
• Death and nature do contend → so deep asleep, appear dead
• Macbeth does murder sleep → sleep is an innocent person; overwhelming threat in Scotland
• I could not say ‘Amen’ → poetic justice; overwhelming guilt makes him pronounce punishment on himself; subtle warning to audience not to usurp self in Great Chain of Being; Divine right of kings
• Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil → only children fear anomalous species of terror
• Heart so white → cowardice
• Green one red → color the sea red
• Lady Macbeth’s attitude towards regicide is casual.
• Her views contrast against Macbeth’s very strongly
• The audience is bewildered to witness such firmness, insensitivity and evil from a female character
• The line “These deeds must not be thought…it will make us mad” is particularly significant as it is the very reason she goes mad (dramatic irony)
• Macbeth is not the only one who errs morally; it can be argued that Lady Macbeth has been his primary instigator, and therefore, was initially more evil than Macbeth himself.
• This scene reveals the way she commands Macbeth and challenges his manliness, thereby manipulating him to pursue his dark ambitions.
• “Had he not resembled My father as he slept, I had done’t.”
• “This is a sorry sight”
• Stichomythia
• Unable to pronounce “Amen”
• “I am afraid to think what I have done”
• “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”
• Macbeth expresses guilt repeatedly throughout this extract, which makes the audience understand that the moral cost of killing Duncan is far greater than the superficial kingship that he has gained.
• “Methought I heard a voice cry, ‘Sleep no more Macbeth does murder sleep’ This is an indicator of the lasting repercussions that Macbeth will face due to regicide.
• Macbeth’s peace of mind has been destroyed, and the seeds of insecurity and mental instability have been planted in his mind.
• Shakespeare hints at the enduring consequences that evil acts have on one’s mental wellbeing (subtle warning to audience about the implications of regicide)
• Unstereotypical image of man according to Jacobean standards
• Sense of fragmentation in Macbeth’s mind, stemming from his utmost guilt, as he seems almost oblivious to what Lady Macbeth is saying
• Appearance vs reality

General Overview

• Deviates from Aristotle’s definition of a Tragedy
• Emotional relief to the audience between two highly dramatic moments

* Shakespeare references the then-current themes of equivocation

• bawdy humor appeals to the lower class
• Macbeth “murdering sleep” in the last scene entailed ramifications that resounded throughout all of Scotland - “Lamentings heard i’th’air, strange screams of death”
• Practically gives the actors time to get redressed and wash the ‘blood’ from the last scene
• Macbeth’s rich and elaborate imagery in his staged reaction to Duncan’s death reveal his insincerity, suggesting he has prepared this speech beforehand.
• His adeptness at concealing his emotions and readiness to lie reveals the fact that he has grown more evil, this pattern is seen throughout the play. As Macbeth commits crimes, his insensitivity to them increases.
• Macbeth’s intricate language contrasts with Macduff’s rage.
• Macduff shows signs that he is truly grieving - his sorrow in this scene lays the foundation for his revenge and ultimate act of killing Macbeth.
• “Woe, alas”. Lady Macbeth’s calm attitude reflects her evil, deceitful nature.
• “Lennox Goes the king hence today? Macbeth He does - he did appoint so.”
• “The earth was feverous and did shake”, “T’was a rough night” → The storm outside Macbeth’s castle reflects the tempest of conflicting emotions inside Macbeth, the guilt, regret, ambition, and evil all manifest themselves in the atmosphere.
• “The night has been unruly”
• “Who’s there i’th’name of Beelzebub?
• Primrose way to the everlasting bonfire
• You’ll sweat for it → hell was very hot
• “If a man were porter of hell-gate”
• “But this place is too cold for hell. I’ll devil-porter it no further”
• “Provokes and unprovokes”, “Makes him and mars him”, “Sets him on and takes him off”
• Develops the theme of equivocation
• Risque humor appeals to the audience in the pit
• Knock → builds up tension and suspense
• comments on the action
• shows the universality of the action (how the action is reflected in nature and in society)
• he represents the views of ordinary people
• Mediates and manipulates audience response
• Subtle warning to audience of the repercussions of not adhering to the Great Chain of Being (widespread and unnatural chaos)
• Macbeth, though in absentia, is characterised through the reactions of the Old Man and Ross
• “Thou seest the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, Threatens his bloody stage” → the heavens (a positive supernatural force) is dissatisfied with mankind’s deeds, and so is causing unnatural disasters on earth. Theatrical metaphor magnifies the effect of this idea, as the play is in a theatre. Almost as if the heavens is Shakespeare himself, as he controls the characters.
• That darkness…entomb when living light should kiss it? → darkness covers earth despite being day; influence of supernatural factors
• Dark night strangles the travelling lamp → periphrasis for sun; night symbolizes evil; sun symbolizes light
• Is’t night’s predominance…light should kiss it? → rhetorical question is purposely ambiguous to test where the Old Man’s sympathies lie; is it the overpower of (symbolically) evil, or the death of Duncan, that has resulted in this unnatural darkness
• A falcon…mousing owl hawked at and killed → falcons are superior birds of prey (Duncan is at a higher position in the hierarchical structure of their society) and is surprisingly killed by a mousing owl, generally considered to be docile and harmless (like Macbeth’s character in the mind of Duncan)
• falcon, mousing owl, Duncan’s horses
• Good Macduff → first mention of the antagonist is accompanied by a positive adjective, which prejudices the audience; foreshows his important role in the play
• Adieu, lest our old robes sit easier than our new → Gives the audience a sense that Macbeth’s reign has almost been forcefully imposed on them; old robes = Duncan; new robes = Macbeth
• God’s benison…friends of foes → shows Old Man’s favourable disposition towards Malcolm, and therefore further prejudices the audience
• Antithesis in the phrases good of bad; friends of foes
• Disguise and hypocrisy
• Time lapse between the last scene and this one; degradation in Macbeth’s character is plainly evident
• There is tension between the characters of Macbeth and Banquo - Banquo suspects Macbeth’s intentions (“I fear Thou played’st most foully for’t”). Macbeth also asks questions about Banquo’s departure “Ride you this afternoon?”, “Goes Fleance with you?”. He also plots Banquo’s murder in this scene.
• Macbeth speaks to the murders in prose, rather than in verse, showing that he has stooped down to their level.
• Tonight we hold a solemn supper…presence → Macbeth knows Banquo will not make it to the feast
• Are with a most indissoluble tie forever knit → shift in the way Banquo addresses Macbeth; pledging loyalty to his king
• His royalty of nature… be feared → Banquo is the ruler of good virtues, which is why Macbeth fears him (slightly ironical in that sense; good qualities are generally not feared)
• Put rancours in my vessel of peace only for them→ put poison in his mind; Macbeth is aware that his actions have had a repercussions on his mental wellbeing
• With barefaced power…sight → hyperbole; super subtle flex to murders about his power as king
• My genius was rebuked as Mark Antony was by Caesar → Caesar was more respected due to nobility and character
• Mine eternal jewel…common enemy of men → christian belief that soul is most precious commodity; by committing sin of murder he has given his soul to Satan; shows awareness that his actions are not good; tragic hero
• Placed a fruitless crown…barren sceptre → Macbeth is bitter that his kingship will not be passed on to is sons (according to the prophecies)
• Heavy hand hath bowed you to the grave…forever → Banquo’s power and influence has (metaphorically) killed and impoverished their families
• Come fate into the list…th’utterance → metaphor; Macbeth is ready to fight the Witches prophecies rather than accept that his sons will not become kings; Macbeth’s soldier-like bent of mind also visible
• Half a soul and to a notion crazed say ‘Thus did Banquo’ → Any fool or madman would say that it was Banquo’s fault
• “Then prophet-like, they hailed him father to a line of kings” → compares the witches to prophets, religious leaders. This shows that Macbeth now attributes heavenly qualities to the witches, and that they no longer seem evil from his moral perspective
• Who wear our health…perfect
• It is concluded…tonight → no sense of doubt or remorse is observed; degradation in Macbeth’s character; metaphor (soul to bird) Characters
• Shakespeare purposely leaves his character as ambiguous in his last soliloquy in the play
• Slight streak of greed is clearly visible in the hypophora May they not be my oracles as well?
• Change in power dynamics; scared to say his thought out loud. Seen in the line But hush, no more.
• Degradation in character is clearly seen through his soliloquy which parallels the one he delivered in Act 1 Scene 7. However, here we can see Macbeth solely justifying the reason for murder, without contemplating the ethical and moral implications.
• Macbeth’s insensitivity is also not limited to murder; he does not refrain from insulting and manipulating even the murderers by challenging their masculinity - hmm. Where have we seen this trick before? Macbeth’s actions mirror Lady Macbeth’s, showing the audience that he has now become capable of acts like manipulation.
• The fact that Macbeth does not commit the murder himself emphasizes his degeneration as it reveals his ruthlessness
• It is important to note that he does not ask for his wife’s guidance and help; seems to be perfectly moulded into the role/person he is supposed to be and Lady Macbeth wanted him to be → an ambitious man who will go to any means to secure his position
• Macbeth “To be thus is nothing but to be safely thus”. He is utterly discontent with his situation. “Fruitless crown, barren sceptre” → Macbeth’s insecurity is further revealed when he plots Banquo’s murder. He wants to leave no loose ends in his evil and ambitious endeavours.
• This scene marks a shift in the relationship between Macbeth and LMB. Both of them are halfway through their evolution, and are knee-deep in emotional turmoil. They “ eat our meal in fear and sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake [them] nightly”. This shows how insecure they are.
• The distance in their relationship is clearly visible. We can see this in the line “I would attend his leisure for a few words” (She has to ask for permission to meet her own husband) ; “why do you keep alone”
• We cannot say their relationship itself is deteriorating as their love for eachother is yet apparent. Evidence can be found in the phrases “dearest chuck” and “dear wife”
• Mental instability
• Macbeth is no longer “full o’ the milk of human kindness”. He has embarked on the dangerous, bloody journey to make his throne secure.
• Macbeth envies Duncan. Fate has given him a quick departure from life, whereas Macbeth is suffering. “Duncan is in his grave. After life’s fitful fever, he sleeps well”.
• There is a reversal in power at this point - Macbeth has now taken his fate into his own hands, and advices Lady Macbeth, instead of it being the other way round, as it was initially. This is evidenced in the phrase “Be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck, Till thou applaud the deed”.
• Macbeth indulges in images and ideas that are unbecoming of a king; he wishes death and destruction upon his kingdom for his sake; selfish
• Does not have peace of mind - “doubtful joy”. She is deeply troubled by what she and Macbeth committed, while she isn’t able to enjoy being Queen.
• She is in so much fear and is drowning in insecurity - “‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy”.
• While she gained queenship, she feels empty - “nought’s had, all’s spent”.
• She is suffering, yet hypocritically gives Macbeth advice - “Things without all remedy should be without regard”. This shows that she reverts back to her role of being a spur, an enabler of evil, even though she is emotionally unstable.
• First glimpse the audience is provided to see beyond
• We have scotch’d the snake, not kill’d it She’ll close and be herself, whilst our poor malice Remains in danger of her former tooth.” → The snake is a metaphor for the danger that they are in. This is ironic, as Macbeth himself is the creator of this snake he was respected and loved before ambition corrupted his intent.
• After life’s …sleeps well → compares life to disease; constant struggle now at peace; sense of envy
• O full of…dear wife! → sudden interjection shows it is bothering him considerably; love and trust
• Must lave our…flattering streams → make sure everyone is pleased; appearance vs reality
• “Restless ecstasy” → Macbeth’s longing for ‘ecstasy’, which he thought he would get when he obtains the position of King, is filled with doubt, guilt, and fits of insecurity.
• ‘Tis safer to be that…doubtful joy → oxymoron; she remarks that it would be better to be dead than to live unhappily
• “The shard-borne beetle”, “ere the bat hath flown”, “full of scorpions is my mind”, “the crow which makes wing to th’rocky wood”
• These animals are symbolize darkness and malice, which creates an eerie, sinister atmosphere.
• “Come, seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day” → Macbeth invokes the night to conceal his evil actions. This is seen in Scotland itself, as Macbeth’s reign results in evil spreading across his land. Evil has overtaken kindness, just like night enshrouds day. (animal imagery of Falconry)
• Treason has done…further → synecdoche (steel = sword); sense of jealousy that usual threats to king no longer worry him;
• With bloody and invisible hand…great bond → metaphor; asking night to destroy the remnants of his conscience
• Drowsy hums; Yawning peal (transferred epithets) → emphasizes late at night which is time when supernatural events were believed to take place
• This is a brutal, visceral scene. Banquo meets his violent end.
• Banquo’s death is especially tragic, as he is outnumbered by three murderers.
• Climactic point of play as it is the clear beginning of Macbeth’s fall in the public domain #* Last appearance of Lady Macbeth before Act 5 Scene 1
• Establishes the chaotic regime of Macbeth (chaos in Banquet scene symbolic of that widespread in Scotland)
• First formal meeting as king; expected to host formal dinner - expectation of prosperity and harmony
• “Lady Macbeth You have displaced the mirth, broke the good meeting, With most admired disorder.”
• Guilt and punishment
• Ghost of Banquo is possibly a supernatural occurrence
• “Stones have been known to move and trees to speak; Augurs and understood relations have By magot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forth The secret’st man of blood.”
• Mentally unstable
• Macbeth’s mental projection of Banquo represents the threat Banquo still poses for Macbeth with his line of descendants (“Fleance is ‘scaped”). It is a manifestation of his guilt and insecurity. “This is the very painting of your fear This is the air-drawn dagger which, you said, Led you to Duncan.”
• Insecure “now I am cabin’d, cribb’d, confined, bound in to saucy doubts and fears”
• Macbeth rapidly shifts between greeting his kinsmen and vilely expressing his frustration. This shows that he is unable to handle the responsibilities of being King while scheming to protect his position. This is ironic, as he is neglecting his duty as King just for the sake of being King longer. This shows his inherent folly.
• This scene being the last appearance of Lady Macbeth reflects the fact that she has become unimportant to Macbeth after this point, a meaningless irrelevancy.
• She challenges Macbeth’s manliness yet again, but Macbeth responds with equal tenacity due to the rage and frustration he is in.
• Whole as the rock…casing air → calm, composed, and light-hearted; Banquo and Fleance’s death had demolished all of Macbeth’s fears and worries (also similes)
• cabin’d, cribb’d, confined → alliteration;
• The Ghost of Banquo
• The fact that Banquo sits in Macbeth’s place signifies that Macbeth’s reign will not stay in his posterity
• “I am in blood Stepp’d in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o’er” → This is a dark image. The river of blood represents Macbeth’s crimes. Macbeth accepts that he is beyond redemption, and chooses to descend morally instead of trying to redeem himself.
• “Approach thou like the rugged Russian bear, The arm’d rhinoceros, or the Hyrcan tiger” - to show that these scary creatures pale in comparison to Banquo’s frightening image.
• “overcome us like a summer’s cloud” - shows the influence the image of Banquo has over Macbeth
• “blanched with fear”
• “LADY MACBETH You lack the season of all natures, sleep. MACBETH Come, we’ll to sleep.” → the audience knows that Macbeth does not deserve sleep, and that he “hath murdered sleep” as soon as he treacherously murdered Duncan.
• Hecate reprimands the witches for speaking to Macbeth without her involvement.
• “He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bear He hopes ‘bove wisdom, grace and fear And you all know, security Is mortals’ chiefest enemy.”
• “this night I’ll spend unto a dismal and a fatal end”
• “Upon the corner of the moon There hangs a vaporous drop profound”
• “distill’d by magic sleights”
• “Your vessels and your spells provide”
• “at the pit of Acheron”
• “trade and traffic”
• “Great business”
• “riddles and affairs of death”
• “the glory of our art”
• “Part” + “art”
• “charms” + harms”
• Basically the whole thing
• adds to the incantation-like quality of the verse
• Parallels the closing scene of Act 2
• Gives the audience a clear idea of Macbeth’s fall in reputation after Banquet scene
• Shows condition of Scotland under his reign
• The Lord here serves as the choric character much like the OId Man in Act 2
• Notifies the audience of the existence of the “pious” King Edward
• Off-stage events Idea of the general rebellion; what Macduff and Malcolm are up to
• Builds up Macduff’s character as a contrast to Macbeth; undevoted loyalty vs greed and tyranny
• Lord is not given an identity; therefore reveals the general mindset of nobles
• Showing the pathetic state of Scotland is a subtle warning to the audience that defying the divine right of kings will result in anarchy and chaos
• Feared by his subjects. He is first praised by Lennox “How it did grieve Macbeth! did he not straight In pious rage the two delinquents tear”, “Was not that nobly done? Ay, and wisely too”. However, this was in fear of Macbeth’s power as an oppressive king he later refers to him as “tyrant”.
• Contrasts with the description of the “holy king” Edward of England.
• At the onset, Lennox’s tone is cautious and ambiguous, highlighting the sense of distrust prevalent in society
• Did he not straight… delinquents tear → suddenness and violence of action emphasized
• Right-valiant Banquo
• Tyrant’s feast
• Slaves of drink…sleep → completely drunk and asleep; not in frame of mind to think, let alone murder
• Swift blessing… suffering country → compared to ill person
• “Free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives” → knives represent murder
• “To wake Northumberland” → metonymy for earl
• “Give to our tables meat, sleep to our nights”
• This helps emphasise the dire situation in Scotland
• Meat symbolizes prosperity; sleep symbolizes security
• How… grieve Macbeth! → cynical tone emphasized
• Malevolence of fortune

General overview

• Macbeth meets the witches and demands them to answer what he asks. The witches equivocate to Macbeth, instilling a false sense of security in him, which eventually leads to his death. Yet, Macbeth swears to kill Macduff.
• This scene furthers the plot by heightening the drama and conflict
• It is in keeping with the dark atmosphere of the play
• Theatrically appealing scene, full of spectacle and music
• Obsessed with the desire to know the future
• Unafraid to challenge the witches, corrupted by the power Kingship has granted him
• I conjure you by that which you profess
• deny me this, and an eternal curse fall on you
• Filthy hags!
• How now, you secret, black, and midnight hags!
• Lists a range of horrifying images unbecoming of a king
• Refrain (“Double, double…bubble) is repeated to emphasize sense of musicality and build suspense; signifies what awaits someone who deals with the Devil
• “Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth”
• The number 3 (in various forms) is associated with supernatural
• This increases dramatic effect while making the witches’ dialogue sound like incantation
• Trochaic tetrameter builds sense of musicality and adds to rhythm; contrasted to all other characters in play
• Series of gruesome animal imagery is used to describe horrible contents of the cauldron; disgust prejudices audience against the witches
• Macbeth also lists a series of hyperbolic visual images using anaphora
• Shakespeare uses a range of words related to witchery
• “I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies”
• “The castle of Macduff I will surprise”
• Pale-hearted fear
• secret, black, midnight hags! → fall in language Macbeth uses shows fall in his mental state; derogatory
• Be bloody, bold, and resolute
• Who cafes, who frets or where conspirers are
• “sleep in spite of thunder” → Macbeth believes he can sleep because of the false confidence that he has obtained from the witches
• Against the churches → against religion, which is a pillar of society
• Confound and swallow up navigation → ships symbolize prosperity
• Palaces and pyramids → alliteration; juxtaposition; pinnacles of architecture
• Nature’s germen → seeds symbolize the future generation
• Sleep in spite of thunder → despite any threat
• “Time, thou anticipatest my dread exploits”
• give to the edge o’ the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line
• Sear mine eyeballs
• Armed head = (?) soldiers
• Blood child = any child in Scotland that feels threatened OR Macduff’s son who will be killed OR Macduff when he was ripped from womb
• Child crowned with tree = foreshadows that Malcom will be the next king
• Tree = soldiers carry trees (Act 5 Scene ) which leads to Macbeth’s downfall
• None of woman born
• Great Birnam wood to Dunsinane Hill
• Round and top of sovereignty → crown (which is symbolic of kingship)
• Be lion-mettled → brave and courageous
• Excessive use of ! and - and ? → shows shock and fear in Macbeth’s mind
• Th’crack of doom → doomsday
• blood-boltered Banquo smiles upon me → smile is symbol of victory; b is a harsh consonant which reveals his anger and fear at seeing this image
• Time, thou… exploits → time is enemy
• This scene initially provides comic relief to the audience, while allowing the audience to emotionally connect with Lady Macduff and her son
• That connection is then broken by murderers brutally killing them. This invokes pathos in the audience, and is used to fuel Macduff’s anger.
• Shows the precariousness of the political situation in Scotland
• This is the climax of Macbeth’s tyranny.
• The dangerous times in Scotland demand a certain maturity from the son, which is shown in his dialogue
• He’s the b a a a d g u y . duh
• “for the poor wren, the most diminutive of birds, will fight, her young ones in her nest, against the owl” → criticising Macduff for fleeing to England by contrasting him against a wren.
• “Noble, wise, judicious” → Ross tries to justify Macduff’s decision by attributing good qualities to him even though he fled.
• “But cruel are the times, when we are traitors and do not know ourselves”
• “The fits o’th’season”
• “float upon a wild and violent sea” → compares Scotland to an unpredictable sea.
• “Father’d he [the son] is, and yet he’s fatherless.” → Macduff is alive, but isn’t there to protect his son.
• Quick dialogue between Lady Macduff and her son adds to the humorous element of the scene
• Last on-stage appearance of Lady Macbeth; after long time-lapse. As scene commences, we are unsure who the gentlewoman and doctor are talking about; shock when it is revealed to be Lady Macbeth
• Consolidates her status as a tragic heroine
• The Elizabethan (did not understand mental illnesses) and modern responses are starkly different; the former believe a sense a divine justice has been reached whereas the latter feel pity and sympathy Language
• Regular rhythm and verse is missing as it is not appropriate for someone who has lost her mind
• Almost as if she is denied the dignity and sublimation associated with poetic language
• Prose; no iambic pentameter
• Sense of fragmentation is apparent; thoughts are neither rational nor chronologic Ailments
• Sleepwalking
• Obsessive compulsive disorder
• Symbolises her need for light (purity, good virtues) in an evil Scotland where there is none
• Ironical because she repeatedly called on darkness and night to aid her in her actions
• “The heart is sorely charged.”
• “infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets”
• Regret and guilt
• Fate (rather, reversal of fate)
• Justice and punishment
• Delirious, shaken by the moral weight of the acts she has urged Macbeth to commit → “More needs she the divine than the physician.”
• Insane “This disease is beyond my practice”
• Yet who would’ve thought the old man to have so much blood in him?
• Fragile, vulnerable
• Doesn’t know what is going on in the country she is Queen in - “The thane of Fife had a wife where is she now?”. There is a sense of innocence in her words, which invokes pathos.
• Craves Macbeth’s company
• “Out, damned spot! out, I say!”, “all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand” - think back to “a little water clears us of this deed”
• Fold it, write upon’t, read it, afterwards seal it → shows regularity of actions; every night she observes
• Taper → (basically a candle) symbol of life; shows her desperation to get out of world of darkness
• “To bed, to bed, to bed!” → metaphorically going towards her deathbed
• “Oh, oh, oh!”
• Emphasises the fact that she is mentally suffering and vulnerable
• Come, come, come, come give me your hand → symbolic of entering hell
• All the perfumes of Arabia…hand → hyperbole; exotic, strong, smelling perfumes; knows she will never be free
• “God, God forgive us all!” yes why did we take lit
• Unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles → repetition of unnatural refers to Great Chain of Being; Elizabethan belief that mental instability was caused by devils
• Deaf pillow will discharge → too heavy a burden to carry
• The audience finds out that Malcolm, Macduff, Siward, and the English army are assimilating forces to march against Macbeth.
• “Those he commands move only in command, nothing in love”.
• His men are running away from him, the audience feels a bit of pathos
• “Some say he’s mad; others that lesser hate him do call it valiant fury” → Macbeth does not buckle under the troubles of internal revolt, but strongly fights in self-preservation. This is one way he arguably begins to redeem himself.
• Even Macbeth’s mind is revolting against him “When all that is within him does condemn itself for being there”. This heightens the pathos.
• “Revenges burn in them” → revenge is compared to a fire to show the rage shared against Macbeth by the world
• “He cannot buckle his distemper’d cause within the belt of rule.” → shows the unjust chaos that is in Macbeth’s kingdom
• “His secret murders sticking on his hands” → tactile imagery, compares murder to blood that doesn’t wash off. sEeM fAMiliaR? yEs.
• “Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal” → Malcolm is referred to as the medicine for the sickness that is Macbeth’s reign.
• “with him pour we in our country’s purge each drop of us” → soldiers compared to drops of blood that cleanse Scotland.
• “dew the sovereign flower and drown the weeds” → extends the above metaphor to imply that the drops (the soldiers) help plant flowers (bring the rightful king Malcolm to power), and drown the weeds (uproot the tyrant Macbeth).
• “for their dear causes would to the bleeding and the grim alarm excite the mortified man” → Hyperbole, shows the nobility in Macduff and Malcolm’s cause
• Words against Macbeth show the audience the people’s allegiance to the English army
• “now does he feel his title Hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe Upon a dwarfish thief.” → Macbeth is unfit to be king, just as robes that do not fit him. Clothing imagery used a lot in this play for titles. His moral lowness is emphasised by “dwarfish thief”.
• Macbeth has lost all the respect and loyalty he previously garnered - he understands that the journey he took has ultimately been fruitless, hence cementing his position as a tragic hero.
• Audience is torn between judgement for a tyrant and sympathy for a good man who has traveled along a bad path.
• Acknowledgment of his failure as a king.
• This situation contrasts with how Duncan reacted to news Macbeth is saucy and over-bold, whereas Duncan reacted with praise and joy
• Seyton sounds like Satan
• Guilt and remorse
• Power and ambition
• We can see the two sides to Macbeth’s personality Arrogance (as tyrant) and remorse
• His love for his wife is apparent, as he is desperate to find a cure for her
• Macbeth’s sense of security stems solely from the witches’ prophecies as he does not have a considerable army to lead into battle; all friends are rebelling
• We see him using derogatory language instead of the elevated language in previous acts. This shows his fall in his character.
• Macbeth’s obsession with power is shown “‘Fear not, Macbeth; no man that’s born of woman shall e’er have power upon thee’”. He does not quote the witches’ actual words, and changes it to a meaning in terms of power.
• Let them all fly → traitors compared to birds
• Is fall’n into the… yellow leaf → metaphor comparing life to the seasons; he has reached the autumn phase
• Pluck from his memory… brain → compared to page where troubles are written
• Cast the water of my land → Lady macbeth needs to be cleaned of disease like Scotland needs to be cleaned of english forces
• Mingle with the english epicures → insulting englishmen by saying that they only enjoy luxury (ie follow the philosophy of epicurus)
• “let them fly all”
• “Where got’st thou that goose-look?
• “Geese, villain?”
• Lily-livered boy, linen, whey-face → white symbolizes cowardice
• Over-red → red symbolizes courage

#* Scenes are becoming smaller to quicken the pace of the play, making it dramatic.

• “Let every soldier hew him down a bough and bear’t before him”
• “The wood of Birnam.”
• Macbeth has been deserted, and is unable to fight the enemies like a man
• He has Lady Macbeth’s death reported to him and responds with indifference
• He has “supped full with horrors”.
• He expresses nihilistic views, saying life ultimately means nothing. He finds life fragile and empty.
• His confidence is finally undone when he hears of the “moving grove”, causing him to realise that the evil spirits were deceiving him the whole time.
• His frustration is expressed “And wish h’estate o’th’world were now undone”. He begins to “grow weary of the sun”.
• Maying procession where young men carried branches symbolic of fresh new beginning. Winter (period of adversity) is over
• Lady Macbeth’s death propels Macbeth into a deeply contemplative state where he questions his life and existence, having lost her. This shows his love for her
• “I have almost forgot the taste of fears”
• “my senses would have cool’d to hear a night-shriek”
• “Direness, familiar to my slaughterous thoughts cannot once start me.”
• “She should have died hereafter”
• Macbeth’s elevated language seems to be returning to the level of the previous of Acts, shows that he is still inherently the same man.
• Macbeth realises his folly and comes to a revelation at the end of the play. He reflects on the futility of life in the lines “It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing”. His nihilistic views are the product of his sorrow at Lady Macbeth’s death, as well as the hopeless situation he finds himself trapped in. He remarks “Out, out, brief candle, life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.” This reflects his realisation about the inevitability of death, while comparing life to an actor that is temporarily in the spotlight and then is heard from no more. This theatrical imagery is powerful in the context of a theatre. This evokes pathos in Macbeth and his situation, because his grief and misery is expressed vividly through these lines. He realises the folly in his actions, and truly understands their consequences now when he is suffering. In this way, Macbeth can be argued to have reached clarity about the reality of life, by enduring the consequences of his folly, which is his downfall.
• “our castle’s strength Will laugh a siege to scorn”
• “Till famine and the ague eat them up”
• “I have almost forgot the taste of fears” → compares fear to an edible object, as if it is something experienced by tasting. Shows his evolution as a character from a guilty, frightened perpetrator to a murderous tyrant.
• “We might have met them dareful, beard to beard” → beard symbolises man, and everything that manliness stands for
• “And beat them backward home.” → the ‘b’ sound emphasises the violence in the action of beating people.
• All our yesterdays have lighted fools → yesterdays are symbolic of the past
• Dusty death. → from dust we have some and to dust we will return; caesura emphasizes brevity of life and suddenness of death
• Out, out brief candle → metaphor comparing life to brief candle
• Life’s but a walking shadow… hour upon the stage → compares life to the lowest member of a theatre (a walking gentlemen) ; given specific time and role; despite being short you think your damn important, strutting and fretting btu in the end nobody will remember you who you are
• It is a tale told by an idiot… nothing. → idiots are writers of the play; no matter what, at the end of the play, the stage will be empty
• Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow → polysyndeton, symbolises time; hyperbolistic image of how slowly time is progressing
• Dies a hero
• “Why should I play the Roman fool, and die on mine own sword?” → it was the roman belief that it is better to die at one’s own hands than at the hands of the enemy. The English belief that dying fighting is a death filled with nobility.
• “And let the angel whom thou still hast served” → refers to the witches as ‘angels’ to spite Macbeth
• “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripp’d.” → the word ‘ripped’ is violent, and is in keeping with the consequences this fact has for Macbeth - this is the removal of the last false barrier that ‘defended’ Macbeth and raised his ego.
• Intrenchant air… bleed → cutting me is like cutting air; pointless and futile; shows his arrogance and false sense of security
• “Turn, hell-hound, turn!” → Macduff compares Macbeth to a creature spawned in Hell, a vile representation of Macbeth’s tyranny and evil.
• And to be baited…curse → compared to bear baiting; doesn’t want to e verbally abused by a crowd lmao
• I throw my warlike shield → Macbeth’s values as a soldier are coming back to him; last action in play; at least he doesn’t die as a coward so yesh
• Macbeth’s defeat is celebrated by the English army
• Malcolm establishes English rule to Scotland “My thanes and kinsmen, Henceforth be earls”
• Has paid a soldier’s debt → a sense of remorse/mourning is lacking;
• Go off → die
• Had he his hurts before? Ay on the front → if he had wounds on his back, that would imply that he was a coward, running away from his attacker; this tells us he died fighting
• “his knell is knoll’d” → alliteration; knell symbolizes death; his death bell has metaphorically been rung
• Thy kingdon’s pearl → the most precious parts of the kingdom
• Planted newly with time
• “the time is free” → ‘Time’ represents Scotland itself, and shows that it has been purged from Macbeth’s evil
• Fled the snares of watchful tyranny → escaped Macbeth’s terrible rule
• Dead butcher and his fiend-like queen → the audience feels a grave strickening of the heart as we realize that what they will go down in history as fundamentally evil; through this rollercoaster of a play we have seen the aspects of both characters which convince us that they in fact do not deserve to be immortalized as demons; a subtle, sinking sadness settles into us; Goodbye.

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Home » Shakespeare's Works » Elements » Figures of Speech » Figures of Speech by Name » Antithesis

Figures of Speech by Name: --> Antithesis

Antithesis (an-tith'-e-sis) is the juxtaposition of contrasting or opposite ideas or words in a balanced or parallel construction. “The evil that men do lives after them,  /  The good is oft interred with their bones;” Julius Caesar, 3.2.82 . Similar to alliosis , which presents contrasting ideas as alternatives or choices.

Comparison , Parallelism

Notes on antithesis, the architecture of sonnet and song.

Let’s begin by stipulating that Ira Gershwin is not William Shakespeare. However, despite the gulf that separates their talents, they share some writing techniques that are useful tools for aspiring writers. For example, Shakespeare’s sonnet, That Time of Year , and Gershwin’s song, They Can’t Take That Away from Me* , are variations on a common template, … continue reading this note

Seduction or Harassment?

Shakespeare delights in the seduction ceremonies of bright men with even brighter women. These dialogues, whether between adolescents like Romeo and Juliet, more mature characters like Henry V and Princess Katherine, or seasoned adults like the widow Lady Grey and the sexual harasser King Edward, in this scene ( 3HenryVI 3.2.36 ), give Shakespeare opportunities to employ dazzling webworks of rhetorical exchanges. … continue reading this note

Sexual Extortion

In Measure for Measure (2.4.95) , Angelo, the classic sexual harasser, adopts a method of sexual extortion similar to King Edward’s in Henry VI Part 3 (3.2.36) .  Both men begin with oblique insinuations about their desires, which can be innocently misread. When the women, Isabella in  Measure for Measure and Lady Grey in Henry VI, … continue reading this note

Quotes including the Figure of Speech Antithesis

Now is the winter of our discontent.

Now Hyperbaton is the winter of our discontent Metaphor Made glorious summer Metaphor by this son of York, Paronomasia And all the clouds that loured Metaphor upon our house Metonymy In the deep bosom of the ocean Metaphor buried Hyperbaton & Ellipsis . … continue reading this quote

Richard III

Deceit , deformity , false fronts , peace , war, alliteration , anaphora , anastrophe , antithesis , apostrophe , ellipsis , epistrophe , hyperbaton , metaphor , metonymy , paronomasia , personification.

Celia Let us sit and mock the good housewife Fortune from her wheel, that her gifts may henceforth be bestowed equally. Personification Rosalind I would we could do so, for her benefits are mightily misplaced, and the bountiful blind woman doth most mistake in her gifts to women. Celia ‘Tis true, … continue reading this quote

As You Like It

Celia , rosalind, fools , fortune , nature , wisdom , wit, anadiplosis , antimetabole , antithesis , metaphor , paronomasia , personification.

Queen Katherine , to the King I am sorry that the Duke of Buckingham Is run in your displeasure.

When these so noble benefits shall prove Not well disposed, the mind growing once corrupt, They turn to vicious forms ten times more ugly Than ever they were fair.

King It grieves many. … continue reading this quote

Henry VIII , Queen Katherine

Fall from virtue, antithesis , hyperbaton , metaphor , parenthesis , simile, we must not make a scarecrow of the law.

Angelo We must not make a scarecrow of the law, Setting it up to fear the birds of prey, And let it keep one shape till custom make it Antithesis Their perch and not their terror. Metaphor

Well, heaven forgive him and forgive us all. Some rise by sin and some by virtue fall. … continue reading this quote

Measure for Measure

Angelo , escalus , provost, justice , law, alliosis , anadiplosis , analogy , antithesis , metaphor , rhetorical question , synecdoche, not for that neither. here’s the pang that pinches.

Anne Not for that neither. Anapodoton Here’s the pang that pinches: His Highness having lived so long with her Alliteration , and she So good a lady that no tongue could ever Pronounce dishonor of her— Parentheses by my life, She never knew harm-doing!—O, now, … continue reading this quote

Anne Bullen , Old Lady

Falling from fortune , hypocrisy, adynaton , alliosis , alliteration , anapodoton , anastrophe , antanaclasis , anthimeria , antithesis , aporia , apposition , ellipsis , hyperbaton , metaphor , metonymy , oxymoron , parenthesis , personification , pysma , simile , synecdoche.

Duke , as Friar So then you hope of pardon from Lord Angelo? Claudio The miserable have no other medicine But only hope. I have hope to live and am prepared to die. Antithesis

To sue to live, I find I seek to die, And seeking death, … continue reading this quote

Claudio , Duke of Vienna

Antimetabole , antithesis , hyperbaton , metaphor , metonymy , paradox , personification , rhetorical question , simile, now, ursula, when beatrice doth come.

Hero Now, Ursula, when Beatrice doth come, As we do trace this alley up and down, Our talk must only be of Benedick. When I do name him, let it be thy part To praise him more than ever man did merit.

What fire is in mine ears?

My talk to thee must be how Benedick Is sick in love with Beatrice. … continue reading this quote

Much Ado About Nothing

Plays , sonnets, beatrice , hero , ursula, deceit , love, adynaton , allusion , anaphora , anapodoton , antithesis , apostrophe , diacope , epizeuxis , metaphor , metonymy , oxymoron , paradox , personification , simile , synecdoche.

Isabella Can this be so? Did Angelo so leave her? Pysma Duke , as Friar Left her in her tears and dried not one of them with his comfort, swallowed his vows whole, Ellipsis & Metaphors pretending in her discoveries of dishonor; in few, bestowed her on her own lamentation, … continue reading this quote

Duke of Vienna , Isabella

Alliteration , anthimeria , antithesis , ellipsis , isocolon , metaphor , pysma, now tell me, madam, do you love your children.

King Edward Now tell me, madam, do you love your children? Lady Grey Ay, full as dearly as I love myself. Anadiplosis & Epistrophe King Edward And would you not do much to do them good? Lady Grey To do them good I would sustain some harm. … continue reading this quote

Henry VI Pt 3

Clarence , king edward , lady grey , richard iii, love , marriage , seduction, alliosis , alliteration , anadiplosis , anaphora , antanaclasis , antithesis , epistrophe , hyperbole , isocolon , metaphor , simile , stichomythia.

Antony Friends, Romans, countrymen Exordium , lend me your ears Synecdoche ! I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. Antithesis The evil that men do lives after them, The good is oft interred with their bones Antithesis ; So let it be with Caesar. … continue reading this quote

Julius Caesar

Ambition , grief , honor, anadiplosis , antanaclasis , antithesis , aporia , aposiopesis , apostrophe , enthymeme , epistrophe , litotes , metaphor , pathos , personification , polysyndeton , prosopopoeia , rhetorical question , synecdoche.

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Literary Devices

Literary devices, terms, and elements, definition of antithesis.

Antithesis is the use of contrasting concepts, words, or sentences within parallel grammatical structures. This combination of a balanced structure with opposite ideas serves to highlight the contrast between them. For example, the following famous Muhammad Ali quote is an example of antithesis: “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” This is an antithesis example because there is the contrast between the animals and their actions (the peaceful floating butterfly versus the aggressive stinging bee) combined with the parallel grammatical structure of similes indicated by “like a.” Ali is indicating the contrasting skills necessary to be a good boxer.

Difference Between Antithesis and Juxtaposition

Antithesis is very similar to juxtaposition, as juxtaposition also sets two different things close to each other to emphasize the difference between them. However, juxtaposition does not necessarily deal with completely opposite ideas—sometimes the juxtaposition may be between two similar things so that the reader will notice the subtle differences. Juxtaposition also does not necessitate a parallel grammatical structure. The definition of antithesis requires this balanced grammatical structure.

Common Examples of Antithesis

The use of antithesis is very popular in speeches and common idioms, as the inherent contrasts often make antithesis quite memorable. Here are some examples of antithesis from famous speeches:

• “We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” –John F. Kennedy Jr.
• “We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.” –Barack Obama
• “Decided only to be undecided, resolved to be irresolute, adamant for drift, solid for fluidity, all-powerful to be impotent.” –Winston Churchill
• “The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here.” –Abraham Lincoln

Significance of Antithesis in Literature

Antithesis can be a helpful tool for the author both to show a character’s mindset and to set up an argument. If the antithesis is something that the character is thinking, the audience can better understand the full scope of that character’s thoughts. While antithesis is not the most ubiquitous of literary devices, some authors use antithesis quite extensively, such as William Shakespeare. Many of his sonnets and plays include examples of antithesis.

Examples of Antithesis in Literature

HAMLET: To be, or not to be, that is the question— Whether ’tis Nobler in the mind to suffer The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune, Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles, And by opposing, end them?

( Hamlet by William Shakespeare)

Arguably the most famous six words in all of Shakespeare’s work are an example of antithesis. Hamlet considers the important question of “to be, or not to be.” In this line, he is considering the very nature of existence itself. Though the line is quite simple in form it contrasts these very important opposite states. Hamlet sets up his soliloquy with this antithesis and continues with others, including the contrast between suffering whatever fortune has to offer or opposing his troubles. This is a good example of Shakespeare using antithesis to present to the audience or readers Hamlet’s inner life and the range of his thinking.

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…

( A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens)

The opening paragraph of Charles Dickens’s A Tale of Two Cities employs many different literary devices all at once. There are many examples of antithesis back-to-back, starting with the first contrast between “the best of times” and “the worst of times.” Each pair of contrasting opposites uses a parallel structure to emphasize their differences. Dickens uses these antithetical pairs to show what a tumultuous time it was during the setting of his book. In this case, the use of antithesis is a rhetorical device that foreshadows the conflicts that will be central to the novel.

There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one’s own safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn’t, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn’t have to; but if he didn’t want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle.

( Catch-22 by Joseph Heller)

In Joseph Heller’s classic anti-war novel Catch-22 , Heller uses a specific type of humor in which antithetical statements show the true absurdity of war. This very famous quote explains the concept of the “Catch-22,” which became a popular idiomatic expression because of the book. In fact, this example is not so much an antithetical statement but instead an antithetical situation. That is to say, the two possible outcomes for Orr are opposite: either he’s deemed crazy and would thus not be forced to fly any more combat missions, or he’s sane and then would indeed have to fly them. However, the one situation negates the possibility of the other, as only a sane man would be clear-headed enough to ask not to fly more missions.

This case is not a difficult one, it requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant.

( To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee)

In Harper Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird , Atticus Finch is a lawyer representing Tom Robinson. Atticus presents the above statement to the jury, setting up an antithesis. He asserts that the case is not difficult and yet requires the jury to be absolutely sure of their decision. Atticus believes the case to have a very obvious conclusion, and hopes that the jury will agree with him, but he is also aware of the societal tensions at work that will complicate the case.

Test Your Knowledge of Antithesis

1. What is the correct antithesis definition? A. Using two very similar concepts and showing their subtle differences. B. Setting up a contrast between two opposite ideas or phrases in a balanced grammatical structure. C. Using words to convey an opposite meaning to their literal sense. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #1″] Answer: B is the correct answer. A is one possible definition of juxtaposition, while C is one possible definition of irony.[/spoiler]

2. What is the difference between antithesis and juxtaposition? A. They are exactly the same device. B. They are completely different literary devices. C. Antithesis parallels opposite concepts, while juxtaposition sets up a comparison and contrast between two concepts that can be either similar or different. [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #2″] Answer: C is the correct answer.[/spoiler]

3. Which of the following quotes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth contains an example of antithesis? A. 

WITCHES: Fair is foul, and foul is fair: Hover through the fog and filthy air.

MACBETH: Is this a dagger which I see before me, The handle toward my hand?

WITCHES: Something wicked this way comes.

[spoiler title=”Answer to Question #3″] Answer: A is the correct answer.[/spoiler]

4. Which of the following quotes from Heller’s Catch-22 contains an example of antithesis? A. There are now fifty or sixty countries fighting in this war. Surely so many counties can’t all be worth dying for. B. He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt, and his only mission each time he went up was to come down alive. C. You’re inches away from death every time you go on a mission. How much older can you be at your age? [spoiler title=”Answer to Question #4″] Answer: B is the correct answer.[/spoiler]

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Shakespeare writes in a combination of prose and verse. Verse is like poetry and it has a set structure and rhythm. The rhythm Shakespeare uses in his plays is called iambic  pentameter, which is like a heartbeat , with one soft beat and one strong beat repeated five times. Sometimes it’s also interesting to look at lines that don’t match the rhythm of iambic pentameter and to think about why. In Macbeth you will find some lines with eight syllables, with four soft beats and four strong beats, called trochaic tetrameter. In Shakespeare’s plays, you will find examples of antithesis, which is when two opposites are put together, like hot and cold or light and dark . Characters also often end speeches with rhyming couplets , which are two lines written in iambic pentameter that end in the same sound , or a rhyme.

The style of writing you might find in a book.

Take another look at the prose & verse definitions

Another word for organise or lay out.

Take another look at Nia’s definition of verse

This words comes from the Latin word iam meaning beat.

Take another look at the iambic pentameter definitions

The rhythm you feel in your chest, like a pulse.

Take another look at Nia’s definition of iambic pentameter

The Latin word for this number is ‘pent’.

Take another look at the definition of iambic pentameter

Another word for completely different things.

Take another look at Nia’s definition of antithesis

The total opposite of light.

Take another look at the definition of antithesis

Another word for when two lines are coupled together.

Take another look at the definition of rhyming couplets

Iambic Pentameter

The name for the rhythm Shakespeare writes in.

Take another look at your third answer and take another look at the definitions.

Another word for something you hear.

Take another look at Nia’s definition of rhyming couplets

Teacher Notes

The following activity is a great way to look at the language and themes in Macbeth using a sonnet to introduce some of the imagery in the play and the key terms on this page.

Starting with Sonnets (2011)

The activity can be found on page 3 and takes approximately 20 minutes.

You can also try out the activities in the videos on this page with students. The activity which is used to explore shared lines can be useful when looking at Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 5 and Act 2 Scene 2.

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Antithesis: Playing With Opposites

To be or not to be…

You’ve heard it so many times that you may have forgotten to listen to the significance of these words. In these six words Shakespeare gives us two complete opposites: existing and not existing. This use of a word (or sentence) being placed against another to form a balanced contrast is known in rhetoric as ANTITHESIS .

Antithesis is a huge part of Shakespeare’s language. Nearly ever character uses it. Shakespeare was well educated in the art of rhetoric and forming an argument. Naturally, this is reflected in his character’s speech.

In antithesis you must “set the word itself Against the word” (Richard II, V.v) for a variety of different effects. A comparison of two antithetical or opposite thoughts can show a lot to the actor and audience alike. Two opposing ideas in a line can show a the scope of thought in a characters mind. Hamlet in the above quotation is contemplating two very serious ideas. Antithesis also very clearly and precisely illustrates though words the character’s meaning.

In MacBeth the witches chant “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” And later MacBeth comments on the occasion, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” Foul and fair are two opposites and set against each other. What kind of day is it? You’d think this doesn’t make sense, but think to some of your own experiences. Have you said anything like that?

“She’s so mean, but I love her anyway.” “That class is great but I hate going.” “I shouldn’t eat it, but I can’t stop!” These all have antithetical elements in them. Each of these sentences are very dramatic. Explanation can be had for all of these but it isn’t necessary. When you put the two antithetical thoughts together in such a short phrase, you get drama. “I really enjoy our relationship together on occasion because we do fun things together such as swimming, shopping, watching movies and other things but you really have some habits that thoroughly annoy me at time as well and I’m conflicted with how I feel about you.” Where’s the drama there? How about “I love and hate you.” Whoa. NOW I want to know more about this relationship. DRAMA!

Shakespeare is great at crafting these concise and dramatic sentences together to create something the audience and actor alike can really sink their teeth into.

Not all are complete opposites though. “Our father’s love, is to the bastard Edmund / As to th’ legitimate” (King Lear, II.i). The opposite ideas here are the legitimate versus the bastard son. But Edmund us comparing his father’s love between them. One , or the other . When Marc Anthony says “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him,” (Julius Caesar, III.ii) he is setting bury and praise against one another even though they’re not opposite ideas.

Some acting books could go on for chapters about antithesis and rightly so. It’s pretty darn important for being able to play Shakespeare’s text. It’s a tool that the author has left you to use EVERYWHERE YOU CAN. Don’t neglect it. Antithesis will serve you well.

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To what Extent is Macbeth a Play of Antithesis?

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Document Details

• Word Count 3952
• Page Count 5
• Subject English

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