Literary Devices Employed By Shakespeare In The Play Macbeth

Literary devices employed by Shakespe are in Macbeths words in Act 4 Scene 1 of the play Macbeth Symbolism the apparitions appearances to each one symbolise something, the first, a bloody head in a helmet, symbolises Macbeth and his fateful death. The second, a bloody nipper, symbolises Macduff, who had been untimely rippd (innate(p) of a C-section), and the third, a child with a crown and a tree. The crowned child symbolises Banquos upshot that will come to rule after Banquo.Metaphor metaphors are used throughout the apparitions speeches, the apparitions themselves are metaphors. They symbolise things that tie in with each prophecy.Parallel there are parallels between the witches speech and Macbeths, Shakespeare uses this to show how Macbeth is becoming more and more evil, he is becoming like the witches.Irony Shakespeare uses dramatic irony in what the apparitions symbolise and prophesise where Macbeth accepts what the apparitions reveal him literally, the audience knows that what is said has deeper meaning. Another instance of irony is when Macbeth says and damnd all those that trust them (the witches) (line 138). Macbeth is cursing the people who trust witches, yet he trusts them.Imagery (lines 49 60) Shakespeare uses Macbeths lines to describe the usual risks and effects of witchcraft in exact detail, allowing the audience to build an impressive image of destruction and confusion. He does this to emphasise the effects of dealing with witches and what happens when the great chain is disrupted.Paradox the apparitions tell Macbeth to not fear any man born(p) of a woman, which Macbeth takes to mean as that he cannot be killed because every man must be born of a woman. He didnt think that Macduff could harm him because he was born of a woman, but Macduff was not born, he was untimely rippd (born of a C-section).