Figures of Speech

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Examples of Figures of Speech
Following are examples of figures of speech in the play. For definitions of figures of speech, see Literary Terms.
Alliteration
That will be ere the set of sun. (1.1.7) the Norways’ king, craves composition;
Nor would we deign him burial of his men. (1.2.72-73)
False face must hide what the false heart doth know. (1.7.95)
’Tis safer to be that which we destroy
Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy. (3.2.10-11).
Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble. (4.1.12-13)
Anaphora
When the hurlyburly’s done,
When the battle’s lost and won. (1.1.5-6)
FIRST WITCH All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Glamis!
SECOND WITCH All hail, Macbeth! hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!
Hyperbole
Here's the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. (5.1.55)
Irony, Dramatic
This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses. (1.6.1)
Duncan is unaware of what the audience knows: that death, not a pleasant sojourn, awaits him in the castle.
Metaphor
If I say sooth, I must report they were
As cannons overcharg’d with double cracks. (1.2.42-43)
Comparison of Macbeth and Banquo to cannons
Sleep shall neither night nor day
Hang upon his pent-house lid. (1.3.21-22)
Comparison of sleep to a hanging object [We must] make our faces vizards to our hearts,
Disguising what they are. (3.2.40-41)
Macbeth compares his and Lady Macbeth's faces to the visors (vizards) on the helmet of a suit of armor Come, seeling night,
Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day. (3.2.54-55)
Macbeth compares night to a falconer who sews together (seels) the eyes of a young hawk.
He also compares the sun to an eye.
Canst thou not minister to a mind diseas’d,
Pluck from the memory a
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