Banquo uses the words, “He hath been in unusual pleasure” to show how Macbeth has brought enjoyment to the king, and “sent forth great largess to your offices. This diamond he greets your wife withal, by the name of the most kind hostess.” These words suggest that Duncan has appreciated their attention giving Macbeth a sense of hesitation and treachery by betraying King Duncan’s trust. Banquo also uses the witches premonitions, “I dreamt last night of the weird sisters: To you they have showed some truth” as if he predicts what Macbeth is about to commit. But Macbeth replies, “I think not of them” to hide his guilty conscience, when really the witches prophesies are all he is thinking about.
After Banquos departure, Shakespeare uses language to illustrate how Macbeth is feeling before committing the crime. In his soliloquy to the audience the words, “Is this a dagger I see before me, the handle toward my hand?” suggests that Macbeths images are haunting and persuading him to commit the murder, as if he has no control over his own actions. The handle is pointing towards him, which he thinks is inviting him to carry out the murder. The dagger he envisages is symbolic as it reflects the way in which Duncans murder is performed. Shakespeare uses rhetorical questions in Macbeth’s soliloquy implying that Macbeth is confused and almost powerless to make the decision to murder Duncan. He uses blood imagery such as, “dudgeon gouts of blood” and “bloody business” to show how guilty Macbeth is feeling about murdering the King. At the end of the scene the rhyming couplet, “Hear it not, Duncan, for it is a knell that summons thee to heaven, or to hell” is used to show that Macbeth has overcome his hesitation and has made the decision to kill Duncan.
In Act 2 scene 2, when Lady Macbeth is waiting anxiously for Macbeth to return from the murder scene, her persuasion and determination is forgotten and she becomes nervous and tense. Shakespeare includes small sounds, which seem to be exaggerated creating an exciting and extremely tense scene. Vocabulary such as “It was the owl that shrieked”, “I heard the owl scream, and the crickets cry” and “I heard a voice cry” display the nervous and tense atmosphere after the murder.
The words, “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done’t” explains that Lady Macbeth could not murder the King because Duncan reminded her of her father. Lady Macbeth seems almost guilty as she becomes conscious of the horrific murder.
After Macbeth kills Duncan, he is almost hysterical and incapable of removing evidence by replacing the daggers at the scene of the crime. “I’ll go no more” shows Macbeth cannot face his guilty conscience by returning to the terrible murder. Lady Macbeth asks, “Why did you bring these daggers from the place?” and seems annoyed by her husbands “brainsickly” and untrustworthy behaviour. Therefore Lady Macbeth takes control and removes the evidence. This scene shows that Lady Macbeth can take control in precarious situations, whereas Macbeth is terrified of being discovered, “I am afraid”. At this point he is portrayed as weak and his guilty conscience shows through his “brave” and “noble” appearance. Lady Macbeth uses the words, “A foolish thought, to say a sorry sight”, which suggests that she feels ashamed and guilty about the murder of the vulnerable King Duncan.
Macbeth uses imagery related to sleep in Act 2 scene 2 after murdering Duncan. Words such as “Macbeth does murder sleep’- the innocent sleep”, “Sleep no more” and “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more”. These expressions suggest that Macbeth feels guilty and he cannot sleep because of his conscience and the fear of what lies awaiting him in his sleep. Duncan has given Macbeth titles such as thane of Cawdor and Glamis and still Macbeth betrays his trust. He has murdered an innocent and good King and it has destroyed Macbeth’s peace. The words, “One cried ‘God bless us!’ and ‘Amen’ the other”, “”I could not say ‘Amen’, When they did say ‘God bless us’.” “I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat” this implies that Macbeth knows the difference between good and evil because he knew that he would not get God’s blessing from his actions. Imagery associated with blood is also used; the blood on Macbeth’s hands is symbolic as it is also on his conscience and there is no turning back.
Shakespeare uses language and imagery to suggest that Macbeths guilt takes control of his actions and he is unable to hide his real thought, whereas Lady Macbeth is portrayed as weak and nervous until Macbeth has done the deed. After he has committed the murder she becomes calm and organised, taking control of the situation.
In Act 2, scene 1 and 2, Shakespeare uses many forms of language to create an atmosphere. He uses imagery related to sleep, blood, light, dark and guilt. These images create a tense and anxious atmosphere leading up to the murder of King Duncan. Shakespeare also uses rhyming couplets and alliteration to keep the audience interested in the play. It also creates an impression on their response to the events in the performance.
In conclusion Shakespeare uses these conventions to suspend the readers disbelief, creating a surreal atmosphere throughout the play. His use of language and imagery helps to inspire and captivate the audience in constructing the mise en scene.