Metaphors in Macbeth, act 1 Scene 2

Macbeth in Act 1 Scene 2 is presented as a valiant war hero. The Captain declares “for brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name” (I.ii line 16), it reveals that Macbeth is a hero on the battle field, moreover the title is not self-proclaimed displaying that it is well deserved and implying that Macbeth is worthy of the praise given to him. The purpose of the captains speech could be that it sets Macbeth up to become the ‘tragic hero’ of the play, once being a dauntless and loyal subject, described by Duncan as “O valiant cousin, worthy gentleman” (I.ii line 24), to one who falls from grace into decite and deception. His fatal flaw is debatable, on one hand it could be his belief in the supernatural yet it could also be his determined ambition to gain power and become King.

Moreover Macbeth is displayed to be a violent character, “He unseamed him from the nave to th’chops” (I.ii line 22), it could foreshadow his brutality that he will display towards others. In addition, Shakespeare also uses convoluted syntax and a hyperbolic metaphor during the Captain’s speech, not only to display the greatness of Macbeth but also the high flown rhetoric of the classical messenger, which deteriorates arguably to demonstrate the retrogression of the Captain thus implying that he may be an unreliable source, and not a good test of the nobility of Macbeth, with the loss of his coherence.

Religious imagery is used also in Act 1 scene 2, “Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds, Or memorise another Golgotha”, the reference to the place of the death of Christ would not only highly resonate with a deeply religious audience but also that Macbeth is being likened to Christ, suggesting again his good character. Moreover leading to sympathy at his death because he was once a noble respectable man who succumbed to evil. It could also foreshadow that like Christ who had a sword put in his side, Macbeth will suffer the same death by the sword.

Another interesting use of foreshadowing is through the speech of Ross, he declares “disloyal traitor, The Thane of Cawdor”(I.ii line 2-3), in effect the title of The Thane of Cawdor will be bestowed upon Macbeth (“And with is former title greet Macbeth” I.ii line 6) and much like the current Thane he too will become a traitor to the King. It could suggest a circular structure to the play, that once the divine rights of kings/ nature is disrupted by unnatural events they will rise and then fall from grace. In an sense that although Macbeth kicks against fate (e.g the murder of Banquo) his destiny of death because of treachery will always come back concluding in his death.

What is a metaphor in Macbeth Act 1?

What symbolism is in Act 2 Scene 1 of Macbeth?

What happened in Act 1 Scene 2 of Macbeth?

What is the most important quote in Act 1 Scene 2 of Macbeth?