Essay on Dramatic Tension in Macbeth - 1644 Words

Dramatic Tension in Macbeth Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ is set in Scotland during the rule of king Duncan. Macbeth has fought his way up the ranks of the army to become one of Duncan’s most trusted Lords. An encounter with three witches puts wickedness into the heart of an otherwise noble and loyal Macbeth. Shakespeare’s brilliant use of dramatic irony, the supernatural, and indecision produce a dramatic tension that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats throughout the play. In act 1, scene 1, a scene of three witches confronts us. This alone would have created mystery and fright to the audience, setting the scene of the play to come. ‘Macbeth’ was written in a period when there was a high interest in witchcraft and†¦show more content†¦The audience knows that Macbeth has been entitled ‘thane of Cawdor’ before Macbeth actually is told himself. This creates dramatic irony that, in turn, creates tension in the next scene. In act 1, scene 3, the witch’s malice and magic is shown, as they await Macbeth and Banquo on the lonely moor. The two men hear the witches prophecies with amazement. They tell that Macbeth shall be ‘Thane of Cawdor’, â€Å"Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!† And that he shall become king, â€Å"†¦that shalt be king hereafter†¦Ã¢â‚¬  They tell Banquo that he will be father of kings but will not be king himself. â€Å"Thou shalt get kings†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Banquo does not dwell on the witches’ prophecies but Macbeth is entranced. The audience can judge the witches better than Macbeth can, we know that Macbeth has become the thane of Cawdor because he is brave and not because of the witches magic, and we are not surprised, as Macbeth is, when Ross calls him by his title. Macbeth believes now that because one prediction is true that, perhaps, the others may too. Macbeth speaks his thoughts aloud in a soliloquy. These thoughts are of regicide. This would create tension for the audience because it was an absolute sin to even contemplate the murder of a king because it was thought that the King was a man chosen by God and so, was holy. ‘Macbeth’ was supposedly written for the king of this period, James I. James I himself was greatly interested in witchcraft, he had writtenShow MoreRelatedDramatic Tension in Act 2, Scene 2 of Macbeth Essay1217 Words   |  5 PagesMacbeth assignment What do you consider to be the most successful stage effect and language techniques used to create dramatic tension in Act 2, Scene 2? Macbeth is a well known, famous story by William Shakespeare which is about the tragedy of ambition and how it destroys Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Both are forever damned to a state of fearful awareness, and insomnia as a result of murdering King Duncan. 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