Examples Of Tension In Macbeth
Task: To describe how tension is made in Act 2, Scenes 1 and 2.
English AFL
Final Draft
By Imani Anderson-Whittington
Shakespeare created a lot of tension in Act 2, scenes 1 and 2. The tension made is one of the effects caused by the varied sentence lengths, pathetic fallacy, animal sounds, alliterations, oxymorons, emotions portrayed by the characters, and rhyme. Firstly, sentence structure is affective because it increases and decreases the ‘flow’ of the play and also, the rhyming scheme is affective as it gives pattern and rhythm. Macbeth said in his soliloquy,
“I go and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not Duncan, for it is knell, that summons thee to heaven or hell.” This means, if Macbeth goes then Duncan will definitely die by Macbeth’s hands. The rhyming words ‘knell’ and ‘hell’ create a sense of rhythm and draws in the audiences more – therefore creating suspense. Secondly, Shakespeare used oxymorons. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms and therefore seems impossible. An example of one that is used in Act 2, scene 2 is when Lady …show more content…
We can see the different side to Lady Macbeth's character at this moment as she appears to be more vulnerable. In this particular part of this scene has to be the climax of the play. When Macbeth and his wife are re-united they are both highly charged with nervous energy and excitement ‘. Macbeth and his wife at first do not speak in sentences. Their speech is syncopated (strengthened) and highly charged emotions tell the audience all is not well. The fact that Macbeth still has hold of the daggers ( ‘Why did you bring these daggers from the place?’) intensifies the tension felt in the scene. His hands would be covered in blood, which would make the drama
English AFL
Final Draft
By Imani Anderson-Whittington
Shakespeare created a lot of tension in Act 2, scenes 1 and 2. The tension made is one of the effects caused by the varied sentence lengths, pathetic fallacy, animal sounds, alliterations, oxymorons, emotions portrayed by the characters, and rhyme. Firstly, sentence structure is affective because it increases and decreases the ‘flow’ of the play and also, the rhyming scheme is affective as it gives pattern and rhythm. Macbeth said in his soliloquy,
“I go and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not Duncan, for it is knell, that summons thee to heaven or hell.” This means, if Macbeth goes then Duncan will definitely die by Macbeth’s hands. The rhyming words ‘knell’ and ‘hell’ create a sense of rhythm and draws in the audiences more – therefore creating suspense. Secondly, Shakespeare used oxymorons. An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms and therefore seems impossible. An example of one that is used in Act 2, scene 2 is when Lady …show more content…
We can see the different side to Lady Macbeth's character at this moment as she appears to be more vulnerable. In this particular part of this scene has to be the climax of the play. When Macbeth and his wife are re-united they are both highly charged with nervous energy and excitement ‘. Macbeth and his wife at first do not speak in sentences. Their speech is syncopated (strengthened) and highly charged emotions tell the audience all is not well. The fact that Macbeth still has hold of the daggers ( ‘Why did you bring these daggers from the place?’) intensifies the tension felt in the scene. His hands would be covered in blood, which would make the drama