Macbeth. Chaos and destruction are continuously depicted as prominent themes in the play. Throughout the text, Shakespeare uses a variety of literary techniques to showcase how interference with the natural order creates great destruction. The way in which he constructs his characters and his use of unnatural imagery support this statement. It becomes evident that the witches have a strong desire to create chaos and speak in equivocations to aid this process. Macbeth himself disrupts the natural order through regicide, and in turn, is driven insane by guilt. The use of unnatural imagery is ever present throughout the play and further highlights the disorder the world is thrown into. It is also evident that Lady Macbeth’s interference with her
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It is evident that the purpose of these characters is to clearly explain how they create chaos by interfering with the natural order. Early on in the play, Shakespeare introduces these characters as evil characters with a hunger for destruction. In particular, the witches discuss the way they “kill swine” by “drain[ing] him dry as hay...shall he dwindle, peak and pine.” Their desire to mess with Macbeth’s life and throw him into turmoil is also demonstrated by their actions during Act Four Scene One, where the witches create a “charm of powerful trouble, like a hell broth boil and bubble.” Shakespeare further emphasises the witches’ destructive methods through their equivocal statements. These are designed to confuse the listener and hint at other meanings. Their assertion “fair is foul and foul is fair” is indicative of the breach in nature. Furthermore, the witches’ prophetic lines ultimately lead Macbeth to believe that he will be safe on the throne as he takes their doublespeak literally. By telling Macbeth that “none of woman born shall harm [him],” the witches encourage his ruthless, bloodthirsty rule. While it is clear that the witches understand the true meaning behind their words, they deliberately withhold this information from Macbeth, subsequently interfering with the course of nature. Shakespeare’s character development of the witches distinctly reveals how disruption of the natural order brings about great
It is evident that the purpose of these characters is to clearly explain how they create chaos by interfering with the natural order. Early on in the play, Shakespeare introduces these characters as evil characters with a hunger for destruction. In particular, the witches discuss the way they “kill swine” by “drain[ing] him dry as hay...shall he dwindle, peak and pine.” Their desire to mess with Macbeth’s life and throw him into turmoil is also demonstrated by their actions during Act Four Scene One, where the witches create a “charm of powerful trouble, like a hell broth boil and bubble.” Shakespeare further emphasises the witches’ destructive methods through their equivocal statements. These are designed to confuse the listener and hint at other meanings. Their assertion “fair is foul and foul is fair” is indicative of the breach in nature. Furthermore, the witches’ prophetic lines ultimately lead Macbeth to believe that he will be safe on the throne as he takes their doublespeak literally. By telling Macbeth that “none of woman born shall harm [him],” the witches encourage his ruthless, bloodthirsty rule. While it is clear that the witches understand the true meaning behind their words, they deliberately withhold this information from Macbeth, subsequently interfering with the course of nature. Shakespeare’s character development of the witches distinctly reveals how disruption of the natural order brings about great