Introduction This extract has been taken from Act 2, Scene 2 in Macbeth by William Shakespeare.

In this scene Macbeth has just returned from killing Duncan and now he and his wife are experiencing the strain from committing this deed. In this essay I will be discussing the dominant images throughout this extract as well as the literary features/actions of the characters that foreshadow their individual personalities. Organisation Markers At the beginning of the extract It also shows Points Once again However, It foreshadows his illusions. Ghosts of the people he killed haunt him, reminding him of his actions. Personification Murder isnt innocent. Two opposing ideas. Sleep: Dominant image Foreshadowing his guilt and consequences of his deeds. Repetition: emphasis Lady Macbeth is still a strong character who questions his manliness to make him feel smaller. Also shows the downfall of the tragic hero. Murdered his own sleep/minds Foreshadowing her worry of being caught, therefore affecting Macbeths position. His guilt/shame. Repetition of his constant thoughts towards the murder. Still questions it. Imagery: composed, dark, evil. Lady Macbeth patronises him by using childhood to imply that killing Duncan was purposeful and not childish. During the soliloquy in lines 30 and 31 the constant worry of the murder develops in his mind, with the double connotation. 1) If people find out about his deed, will they be able to forgive and understand his rationale for doing it. Will he be released from this guilt? 2) Is the deed so big that even a superior figure will not be able to clear the evidence of the murder. (Neptunes Ocean) Lady Macbeth keeps washing her hands with the illusion of blood being on her hands. Red being dominant over green. Representation of Macbeth and Duncan: Macbeth wanting the power over Duncan, therefore the murder. Shakespeare uses double connotations. Similar to Macbeth: from the outside hes good (Thane of Cawdor) trust, purity. Lady Macbeth is empty and cold from the inside. Shes a party to this crime. Her emotions are not the same as Macbeths. Not so weak-heartened. She thinks by washing her hands it will wash away their guilt. Towards the end of this extract Shakespeare uses stage directions to emphasise the tense atmosphere for the audience. Message that it will be open to others. The knocking will wake Duncan up. Macbeth wants it to be a nightmare. Specific Examples I heard a voice cry

Murder sleep, the innocent sleep I Macbeth shall sleep no more I Lines 8-10 You do unbend your noble strength, to think Glamis hath murderd sleep Why did you bring these daggers from the place? I am afraid to think what I have done tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil.

Shakespeare develops the literary features..

Will all great Neptunes Ocean wash this blood, clean from my hand?

Finally,

The multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.

My hands are of your colour: but I shame to wear a heart so white.

A little water clears us of this deed.

Last line

Conclusion In this extract Shakespeare creates a tense atmosphere with the use of stage directions and vivid imagery. He also uses the death of Duncan as a platform to develop the characters and personalities, which is developed through the guilt and consequences of it that they face. It also marks the beginning of the downfall of the tragic hero, Macbeth.

DOMINANT IMAGES: Sleep Dagger Blood Certain Colours

FORESHADOWING: Lady Macbeth becoming guilty and scared. Therefore, Macbeth and her not being able to sleep peacefully.

*NOTE: Try and link relative acts. Example Lady Macbeth washing her hands with the illusion that blood was on her hands. Discussion with the maid. STRUCTURE: Dominant images Foreshadowing Stage directions/atmosphere.