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Dramatic Irony in Macbeth

The three apparitions

Second apparition

Definition of Dramatic Irony

Why are these scenes ironic?

(The witches equivocations)

First apparition

Third apparition

These scenes are ironic because Macbeth interprets the apparitions in one way when the witches really mean something else completely.

Macbeth believes he is invincible because every man was born from a woman but Macduff, his murderer, was born through caesarean section

First apparition

Irony that occurs when the meaning of a situation is understood by the audience but not by the characters in the play.

Macbeth believes that the apparition is warning Macduff to beware of him but really the apparition is warning Macbeth to beware of Macduff.

Macbeth shall never vanquished be, until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him

Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff; Beware the Thane of Fife.

Conclusion

Second apparition

Third apparition

Laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.

Macbeth doesn't believe that two woods can ever meet because trees can't move. Unfortunately for Macbeth the two woods do eventually meet when Malcolm's army disguise themselves with branches from Birnam Wood and march towards Dunsinane Hill.

These scenes are all prophecies of Macbeth's defeat.

Unfortunately Macbeth believes that they are prophecies of his victory which gives him false confidence and leaves him very vulnerable. However we as the audience easily detect Macbeths inevitable downfall. Another reason that these scenes are ironic is because we see the witches as deceptive creatures throughout the whole play but the one time they are telling the truth it is misinterpreted, which of course was their intention.

William Shakespeare's use of dramatic irony is extremely clever and admirable. The technique always makes me want to read his plays till the end and always adds to my enjoyment of his plays.

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