& # 8220 ; Macbeth & # 8221 ; Essay, Research Paper
There are many types of sarcasm used in Macbeth. Without the sarcasm, the calamity
would non be rather so tragic.
One type of sarcasm used in Macbeth is verbal sarcasm. This is when a character says
one thing and means the antonym. Examples of this are when Macbeth says to Banquo,
? Tonight we hold a grave supper, sir, And I? ll bespeak your presence ( III, I, 13-14 ) ? or
when he says? Fail non our banquet ( III, I, 28 ) . ? Verbal sarcasm makes the drama more tragic
because, if the reader understands the sarcasm of what a character is stating, so the reader
can see the true nature and purposes of the character.
Another type of sarcasm Shakespeare used is the sarcasm of a state of affairs. This is when
the consequences of an action or event are different than what is expected. One illustration is when
Macduff is talking with Malcolm about the calamities in Scotland, non cognizing that his
household has been murdered. He says:
? Let us instead
Hold fast the person blade, and like good work forces
Bestride our down-fall? n birthdom. Each new forenoon
New widows ululation, new orphans cry, new sorrows
Strike Eden on the face, that it resounds
As if it felt with Scotland and yelled out
Like syllable of dolour ( IV, three, 4-7 ) . ?
Macduff, ironically, is noting on new widows ululating, non cognizant of the fact
that he is a widowman. This presents a great trade of sarcasm to the reader, every bit good as a tragic
state of affairs.
Dramatic sarcasm is besides used in Macbeth. This type of sarcasm is when there is a
contradiction between what characters of the drama do, and what the reader knows will
happen. In Macbeth, an illustration is the pleasantry with which Duncan, the King, speaks of
Inverness. This pleasantry is a frontage, because small does Duncan cognize, but the secret plan to
slaying him is being hatched and will be carried out here at Inverness. How dry for the
reader, and how tragic, to hear Duncan say:
? This castle hath a pleasant place ; the air
Agilely and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our soft senses. ( I, iv, 1-3 ) . ?
Finally, sarcasm of Fate is used. This is when a consequence defeats the intent of an
event. For illustration, because of Macbeth? s reaction to seeing Banquo? s shade in Act III
scene four is so dramatic and violent, he casts intuition onto himself, alternatively of deriving
personal security. He casts intuition by inquiring? which of you have done this? ? and so
replying his ain inquiry with? Thou canst non state I did it. Never shake Thy gory
locks at me ( III, four, 49, 51-52 ) . ? This is tragic, for Macbeth ruins his end of security and
ends up projecting more uncertainty upon himself.
A drama that is tragic would non be so without sarcasm. Irony pulls at the strings of the
reader? s bosom. Whether the sarcasm makes the tragic hero seem more nefarious, or makes
their ruin seem more tragic, it surely helps the calamity have a less clear cut
emotional response.
