Shakespeare uses figurative language to help shape the readers understanding and appreciation of Macbeth in a number of ways and without this figurative language the play would be less understandable, relatable, and entertaining. One way he does this is by using Personification. “It will have blood, they say. Blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move, and trees to speak (III,iv,124)”. The main example of personification in this quote is “and trees to speak” as Shakespeare gives the human quality of speaking to trees which trees cannot do of course. Without this personification, the play would be dry and not very entertaining. Also, by doing this, Shakespeare leaves a mental image in your head by giving human like qualities we can relate to and makes the play more understandable and relatable since it is written in old english and is hard to understand at times. This personification, is one way Shakespeare shapes my understanding of Macbeth easier.
Another way Shakespeare uses figurative language to help shape my understanding and appreciation of Macbeth is through the use of Oxymorons. Even though at times contradictory words can be confusing, I find they help in Macbeth. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair (I,i,11)”. This is an example of an oxymoron that is used in Macbeth and leaves readers interested and wanting to read more as the quote contradicts itself with the use of the words “foul” and “fair” which adds a bit of a mysterious mood to it. This oxymoron is another way Shakespeare helps shape my appreciation of Macbeth better.
A third way Shakespeare uses figurative language to help shape my understanding and appreciation of Macbeth is by frequently using Allusion in numerous ways. An example of Allusion in Macbeth would be in the quote, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand (II,ii,77-78)”. In this quote, Macbeth is calling out to Neptune, who is the god of water and sea to wash the blood clean from his hands,since he believes the guilt and blood of killing the king on his hands will not be washed away even with all the water in the sea. The Allusion in this quote would be Neptune as Macbeth is making a reference to him. The use of Allusion, is yet another way figurative language helps shape my understanding of Macbeth.
Personification, Oxymorons, and Allusion are all ways Shakespeare uses figurative language to help shape my understanding and appreciation of Macbeth. Without these, Macbeth would be harder to understand, harder to relate to, and be a lot more boring.
