Macbeth is a tragedy, following the downfall of the protagonist due to his tragic flaws.
High Style of Language:
Shakespeare uses ornate and elevated language, including imagery and metaphors, to create a sense of grandeur and tension.
Blank Verse:
Most of the play is written in blank verse, a form of poetry that consists of unrhymed iambic pentameter (lines of ten syllables, with each stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable). This contributes to the play's rhythmic, almost hypnotic, quality.
Soliloquies and Aside:
Shakespeare employs soliloquies to reveal the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters, particularly Macbeth. Aside is used to communicate a character's thoughts to the audience without other characters hearing. These techniques provide insights into the character's motivations and conflicts.
Themes and Symbolism:
Macbeth delves into themes like power, ambition, guilt, and the consequences of immoral actions. Shakespeare enhances these themes through symbolism, such as blood as a symbol of guilt, darkness and light representing psychological states.
Characterization:
Shakespeare presents complex and morally ambiguous characters. Macbeth's transformation from a loyal soldier to a ruthless tyrant shows the corrupting influence of power and his gradual descent into madness. Lady Macbeth's initially strong and manipulative personality contrasts with her later guilt-ridden state.
Dramatic Irony:
The use of dramatic irony creates tension and suspense. The audience knows more than the characters about the consequences of their actions. This gap in knowledge heightens the impact of the play's events.
Shakespeare's style in Macbeth combines poetic language with psychological depth, moral ambiguity, and dramatic tension, making it a timeless and influential work in the literary world.