The Uses of Weather in Shakespeares Macbeth

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In this story Shakespeare uses many literary techniques to help him craft his plot. Among those techniques is one major one, the weather. Weather is used in three main ways: to set the mood, to show what is taking place at the moment and to hint at the events of the future. All of those together play off and add to each other and make the story better. One aspect they add where they are used is to expose facts about the characters, which helps in their development during the story. Another is to subtly unveil parts in the plot that haven’t been explained, which lets the reader go deeper into the text. Another is to give the reader something to look at and pay attention to, which makes for a better read. Overall, the weather in this story plays a big role in setting the mood, giving hints about the present and future, and it also makes the story richer, compelling to read, and a more enjoyable book. Throughout this book Shakespeare chooses to mix references of weather into his text to make it more stimulating and cultured. One of the roles this plays in this book is developing the atmosphere of what is going on in the plot at the time. Using weather is good way to do that, because weather can have a big effect on peoples’ minds. People tend to relate the weather with certain moods, actions, events and types of people. Near the start of the story this idea of weather setting the mood becomes present when Macbeth and Banquo meet with the witches. As the pair enters, Macbeth says, "So foul and fair a day I have not seen" (Act 1, Scene 3, Line 39). Here Macbeth gives the reader an idea of the setting and the feeling of where they are and what is going on. This clearly shows the day to be dim and dreary, which gives a level of suspense as well. The day being dim and dreary is suspenseful because the reader doesn’t know why the day is in such a state. Darkness alludes to
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