Shakespeare’s literary finesse sets the pace in linguistics and literature. Using language and tropes, Shakespeare manages literally distinctiveness. In Macbeth, tropes, which are figures of speech, make most of the play to provide insight concerning what Shakespeare hoped to disseminate. With emphasis on specific sections of the initial, part of Macbeth, establishing the plot constituents is principal. This paper seeks to identify specific language and tropes used by Shakespeare in his plot development. Most important in this is the Shakespeare’s Macbeth Act 1 Scene 7 Lines 31 (“We will proceed no further in this business”) to 59 (“had I so sworn as you have done this”) (Shakespeare).
The pattern of the language is schematic and follows a trajectory of people making resolutions and reconciling certain crucial issues to offset an important one. The pattern shows cessation and a beginning of something new.
Macbeth
This problem will not continue to bother us any longer. We have to stop it and look ahead. I have consulted wise people who I know are of good judgment and their advice is highly revered across the society. I should have done that earlier to avoid this situation.’
Lady Macbeth
If I had committed myself in oath like you did and then broke this oath the way you did, how would it feel? In your opinion, you were entitled to pursue your desires ambitiously yet you had made vows to remain loyal to a certain cause that inhibits you from such selfish behaviors. You failed to identify with your role eventually breaching the very oath that you sought and abided by.
Using figurative language, Shakespeare through Macbeth introduces a certain cessation. ‘We proceed no further in this business.’ Someone who has been associating with Macbeth has caused a stifling of relations. This introductory statement is tropic. The trope nature is identified in his use of ‘proceed no further’ in which he uses two verbs, a trope known as zeugma. The language is indicative of present tense. In his zone (when he wrote the play) he was thinking, talking, and imagining about the ‘present’ during that time. When he says ‘and I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people” Shakespeare is projecting how Macbeth has sought opinions from his associates regarding this issues which has come to cessation. Typically, ‘the end of something means the onset of another.’ Using this as a viewpoint that provides a lead to what Macbeth is all about, the fact that ‘we will proceed no further in this business’ marks the end of something and the onset of a new one.
Using puns (homonymic puns), ‘which would be worn now in their newest gloss’ he explains the value of these opinions and using metaphoric language (comparison) manages to explain the dire need to change things. Shakespeare is setting his plot and he has to deliver creatively this story line as objectively as possible. To define the optimism Macbeth had for this business that is now to end, Shakespeare endears lady Macbeth to his audience through sweet words of comfort to Macbeth.
‘Was the hope drunk wherein you dressed yourself?’ (Shakespeare) is apostrophic and intended to set pace on the cause of action. Lady Macbeth is providing insight regarding the nature of Macbeth’s feelings before he came to this decision. Shakespeare is introducing a new situation hence conversely, provides background information to support the need for change in Duncan’s position. Along the conversation trajectory, it becomes apparent Macbeth has been controversially inadequate to lady Macbeth and it is evident they are making inroads and reconciling and benchmarking key aspects of their opinion in regard to Duncan.’ As thou art in desire? Wouldst thou have that, which thou esteem the ornament of life, and live a coward in thine own esteem’(Shakespeare).
Lady Macbeth is lamenting at certain Macbeth inequities and inadequacies. She is reminding him of his role which he seemed to have forgotten. By conceptualizing, we can argue from two viewpoints, either Macbeth had failed to met his obligation through his own desire to commit to other duty, ignoring the Duncan context and its immense influence. His conclusion is that, that has to end a reason why he insists ‘this business has to end’ (Shakespeare). He attempts to appease Lady Macbeth and bring common ground by prying for her peace/patience in him. ‘prithee peace, I dare do all that may become a man’ (Shakespeare).These words explain his commitment to his cessation of his privy deeds that dissected his commitment to his role.
The language is toned in conciliatory metaphors (what beast was it the) (Shakespeare). The rhythmical flow of dialogue and the conversational tone of the play explain the inner desires of Shakespeare to draw out a picture of a crisis that is now being resolved. Dialogue and the conciliatory tones are indicative of insights about resolving problems amicably in this society. Comparison shows metaphoric ambitions in his play aimed at depicting certain situations more clearly.
The schemes Shakespeare uses, especially tropes, aim at twisting the meaning of his words. Metonymy is observed, especially when Macbeth speaks (pry thee peace). When lady Macbeth responds, she personifies and hyperbolically synaesthetic about her bitter and resolute feelings. Though slightly rhetorical, she is emphatic and consistently questioning. By the time Shakespeare models his plot, one is aware of the previous constraints between Macbeth and Duncan who he trusted once.
Works Cited
Shakespeare, William. “Macbeth:Act 1, Scene 7.” The Complete Works of William-Shakespeare. shakespeare-literature.com, 2003.