Explain How Shakespeare Uses Language To Show Macbeth's State Of Mind In These Three Speeches

2) “There’s comfort yet…”

    This speech is full of dark imagery and night associated objects, such as “Bats” which ties in with another of the plays images, darkness, it seems that morning never comes for Macbeth, that is eternally dark throughout. “Hecate” is the goddess of witches, which links in with earlier times when he visits the witches. “Bat” and “Beetle” conjure very sinister images of night and death, but also have alliteration, which adds to the effect. “Drowsy”, “Deeds”, and “Dreadful” builds on the sinister effect but also having harsh sounding “d” letters gives an even more deathly achievement. “A deed of dreadful note” is personification giving a more disturbing note to end the speech.

2. “Be innocent…”

     This speech starts with Macbeth telling lady Macbeth to keep in non-knowing of Banquo’s murder, until she can appreciate what has been done. This speech also shows that Macbeth still has a small amount of emotion for Banquo, which we can see from the phrase, “tear to pieces that great bond which keeps me pale”, this illustrates he shows some mercy. “Light thickens” links with act 1 scene 5 where the darkness thickens, but is also an oxymoron, predicting Banquo’s blood spill, and also the image of eternal darkness, linking with his last speech. “Droop” and “Drowse” have alliteration on the letter “D” which adds a more horrific tone to the speech. “Night’s black agents” makes reference to the murderers, and “Prey” refers to Banquo. “Crow” links with the bird image, and earlier in the play when Duncan says Macbeth’s castle looks like a good place to stay, as birds are nesting in all of the trees. “Things bad begun make strong themselves by ill”, this phrase refers to the killing of Banquo, (“Things bad begun”) but also to the killing of Banquo, (“Make strong themselves by ill”). This expression fundamentally shows that Macbeth feels the only way things can get better is by doing something even worse, making the phrase a paradox. The speech also ends with rhyming couplets, “Drowse”, “Rouse”, “Still” and “Ill”, “Ill” links to the sickness and health message the play carries right through. Ending with rhyming couplets shows Macbeth’s great determination, but also give the speech finality.