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Macbeth-Dramatic Irony:

So foul and fair a day I have not seen-this is the first thing Macbeth says when he meets the witches, dramatic irony is that witches say this in scene 1 so Macbeth is quoting witches even though he has just been praised by the king for his noble deeds. Act 1 scene 3 page 11.

there is no art to find the minds construction in the face he was a gentleman on whom I built an absolute trust enter Macbeth-the dramatic irony here is that that King Duncan is talking about him trusting that Thane Of Cawdor but he betrayed him. Macbeth enters and the dramatic irony is that the audience knows he is betraying Duncan.-act 1 scene 4 page 19

be innocent of the knowledge, dearest chuck till thou applaud the deed-audience knows that Macbeth is planning an evil deed but LMB doesnt, she doesnt know that he is talking about killing Banquoact 3 scene 2 page 77

'By Sinel's death I know I am Thane of Glamis But how of Cawdor? The Thane of Cawdor lives.' The audience already knows that Macbeth has been made Thane of Cawdor by King Duncan because the treacherous Thane of Cawdor has been put to death and Duncan has given the title to Macbeth-act 3.scene 1

None by woman born will harm Macbeth-the apparition is telling Macbeth that he wont be harmed by any man born by woman but the audience can see that there is a double meaning there.-act 4 scene 1 page 103

Till Birnam wood remove to Dunsinane I cannot taint with fear-Macbeth is saying that according to the prophecies he cannot be harmed but the audience knows there is a double meaning as Birnam Wood Has been moved by soldiers-act 5 scene 3 page 143

Banquo:I dreamed last night of the three weird sisters; to you they have showed some truth. Macbeth:I think not of them;-Macbeth is saying he is not thinking of the witches prophecies but the audience knows he is-act 2 scene 1 page 39 Macduff:how does my wife? Ross: well, too-Ross is saying that Macduffs wife is well but the audience knows that she is actually dead. O full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife-Macbeth is talking about his mind being full of bad things whereas Lady Macbeth does not know this. Macbeth is troubled with poisonous thoughts referring to a scorpion to kill King Duncan He shall spurn fate, scorn death, and bare his hopes bove wisdom grace, and fearhecate is prophesising about Macbeths downfall, the audience knows that he is going to die but he doesnt. All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor,dramatic irony backs up the theme of ambition and control. By showing that once Macbeth has a taste of more power, he will become obsessed with it. dramatic irony shows his increase in power and growing ambition, leading to a complete change in his lifestyle and results in his downfall.- act I, scene iii, line 51-52

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