Macbeth’s Changes-Shakespeare  

Shakespeare deftly uses dramatic techniques and arts to depict the story of 
Macbeth. One of the techniques he used were similies, imageries, dramatic 
irony, soliloquy among others to set the mood before and after Duncan’s 
Murder. The mood before Duncan’s murder was joyful and full of life, 
everybody was having an amazing time. King Duncan wanted to see Macbeth 
and his wife after all the king already made him Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth and 
lady Macbeth were delighted to host them, however little did Duncan know it 
was part of the surprise. Shakespeare hid their true intentions well beneath the 
cloak of happy and festive spirits. After the murder everybody was in panic and 
fear, Macbeth’s mood was eerie and unsettling because he was not able to calm 
down. Everybody else moved on quite quickly, however still shocked by the fact 
that the guards killed the king. The porter scene is foreshadowing of the events 
leading to the climax that is to follow. It also distracts from the immediate 
tension but illustrates the theory of karma. The dagger scene is a dexterous 
depiction of the boomerang effect. Macbeth’s soliloquies build tension with a 
number of techniques, the most common one was the use of sentence length. 
In some of his soliloquies, he had some really long thoughts that demonstrated 
his paranoia, and how it really took effect in his work as king. The least used 
technique was sound. He used sound to create shock and fear. When Macbeth 
heard the knocking sounds it sent shivers down his spine. The use of dramatic 
images is also elaborated in the book for example on page 49 whereby he was 
in his soliloquy he was explaining how the witches have taken away his normal 
life. Macbeth’s behavior after the murder was cowardly, he kept on regretting 
his actions, saying this was a disgusting sight, saying that he does not want to 
go out of his chamber. Lady Macbeth felt no such regret or guilt, she is happy 
that she is sharing the guilt, but unlike Macbeth, she takes control of the 
situation. As Macbeth fits into his role as king, the situation gets better and 
worse. The dreams and vision he sees are beginning to affect his relationship 
with his staff and he has sought help from the witches a second time to feel the 
security of the throne. After, Macbeth becomes arrogant and rather cocky. He 
boasts how nobody born of a woman can kill him. Surprisingly Macbeth also 
demonstrates high levels of responsibility and leadership. However, his hostile 
language and anger towards his staff quickly gaining him the reputation as a 
tyrant. Even as the soldiers begin to switch sides, Macbeth still does not tone 
down his attitude towards his comrades that were still loyal to him. Panic 
finally sets in, he still thinks he is going to live based on the prophecy. It was 
no surprise the prophecy came through, all three of them. Shakespeare built an 
amazing and dramatic scene for the audience using amazing detail and 
exciting storytelling that really captivated the audience's attention. Indeed a 
story worth showing.