Symbolism and Mysticism in Macbeth Essay Sample

The overall tone in the medieval play of Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, is mystical. This tone is manifested over the course of the tragic hero, Macbeth's encounters with sorcery through the use of three literary devices, paradox, symbolism, and foreshadowing.

The literary device of paradox is used at the beginning of the play to set a mystical tone when three witches chant, ¨Fair is foul, and foul is fair¨ (I, i, 11). Witches themselves are practitioners of magic and have been throughout human media, Macbeth is no exception. When the witches chant the paradox, it is self-contradictory and there is no certainty as to what it could mean, leaving it a mystery. This immediately sets a mystical tone due to the mystery of the paradox, and the magical nature of witches.

This mystical tone is elevated with the literary device of symbolism when Banquo, Macbeth's friend, who he had assassinated due to a prophecy the three witches told him, appears before Macbeth at a party as he is about to take a seat at a table. In shock Macbeth replies, ¨The table’s full¨ (III, iv, 55). None of the other guests can see Banquo's ghost, a supernatural occurrence meant only for the eyes of Macbeth to symbolize his guilt for having him killed. This use of symbolism through Banquo's ghost elevates the mystical tone by using supernatural beings whose existence cannot be explained.

The final and most blatant demonstration of a mystical tone is executed with the use of foreshadowing when Macbeth goes to see the witches to learn what the future has in store for him. The witches conjure up three magical apparitions, each telling Macbeth of what is instored for him. Upon the appearance of the third apparition, it tells him that, ¨Macbeth shall never vanquished be until/Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill/Shall come against him¨ (IV, i, 102-104). This prophecy foreshadows Macbeth's downfall when an army that attacks him camouflages itself with branches from Great Birnam Woods. By having the witches' predictions come true, Shakespeare creates a breadcrumb trail of magical occurrences leading to a mystical tone.

Shakespeare utilizes paradox, symbolism, and foreshadowing in Macbeth to produce a mystical tone. By incorporating these elements into the plot it enriches the story and upon retrospection can make the reread even better than the first time. This is why recognizing Macbeth's mythical tone and analyzing the literary devices it uses to achieve it can elevate the story to new heights of enjoyment and just like a paradox may seem absurd at first, upon further inspection you'll find it to be true.