Macbeth Rhetorical Analysis

In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, we are presented a story about Macbeth’s downward spiral toward insanity, along with his ultimate death. In a large portion of the play, most people seem to believe Macbeth is a good man--until his actions start to become questionable. People begin to suspect Macbeth after multiple murders occur in his vicinity, and Lennox is one observer who exhibits the public’s distrust. In his speech, Lennox uses dramatic irony, sarcasm, and accusatory diction in order to expose the masses' opinions on Macbeth’s situation. Regarding diction, Lennox's speech is littered with words that accuse Macbeth of not being who he says he is. Lennox uses this in order to make the audience aware of how commoners believe Macbeth may be a liar. For example, when Lennox says, "His presence at the tyrant’s feast," (l. 23), he calls Macbeth a tyrant, rather than a king. This word choice conveys a sense of mistrust in Macbeth, which overall …show more content…
he uses this way of speaking to drive further the message that Macbeth is a very concerning individual one instance in which this occurs is when Lennox declares, " what 'twere to kill a father; so should Fleance" (l. 21). his use of sarcasm in this quote highlights the absurdity of Macbeth's claim— how could such an innocent child murder his father? Through this, we as an audience can tell that people are not so foolish as to believe such a ridiculous story. Also concerning sarcasm, Lennox shows us the cloud of suspicion MAcbeth is consumed undr due to Duncan’s death. Lennox says, “who cannot want the thought how monstrous it was for Malcolm and for Donalbain to kill their gracious father: damned fact!” (ll. 9-11), which equates to him calling out the unlikeliness of the alleged family murder. Lennox’s sarcasm entirely promotes the fact that Macbeth’s claims have been incredibly unbelievable, and that his tyrannical, traitorous way will be brought to an end