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Pathos
Definition of Personification
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down on the wedding guests, indifferent... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the sentence, "The rain poured down... read full definition
Personification is a type of figurative language in which non-human things are described as having human attributes, as in the... read full definition
Act 1, scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Light and Dark:
The motif of light and dark appears frequently throughout Macbeth, reinforcing the play's grim mood and highlighting themes of guilt, religion, and the supernatural. In Act 1, Scene 4, for instance, Macbeth resolves to hide his treacherous ambitions. He associates these desires with darkness and characterizes light as a supernatural "seeing" force that threatens to scrutinize his thoughts and intentions:
Macbeth: Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
Related Themes:
Act 1, scene 5
Explanation and Analysis—Light and Dark:
The motif of light and dark appears frequently throughout Macbeth, reinforcing the play's grim mood and highlighting themes of guilt, religion, and the supernatural. In Act 1, Scene 4, for instance, Macbeth resolves to hide his treacherous ambitions. He associates these desires with darkness and characterizes light as a supernatural "seeing" force that threatens to scrutinize his thoughts and intentions:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macbeth: Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
Related Themes:
Act 2, scene 1
Explanation and Analysis—Light and Dark:
The motif of light and dark appears frequently throughout Macbeth, reinforcing the play's grim mood and highlighting themes of guilt, religion, and the supernatural. In Act 1, Scene 4, for instance, Macbeth resolves to hide his treacherous ambitions. He associates these desires with darkness and characterizes light as a supernatural "seeing" force that threatens to scrutinize his thoughts and intentions:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macbeth: Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
Related Themes:
Explanation and Analysis—Murder:
In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth personifies murder as an old man who moves stealthily at night, ultimately making an allusion to an infamous Roman rapist named Sextus Tarquinius:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macbeth: [A]nd withered murder,
Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf,
Whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace,
With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his
design
Moves like a ghost.
Related Themes:
Act 2, scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Murder:
In Act 2, Scene 1, Macbeth personifies murder as an old man who moves stealthily at night, ultimately making an allusion to an infamous Roman rapist named Sextus Tarquinius:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macbeth: [A]nd withered murder,
Alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf,
Whose howl’s his watch, thus with his stealthy pace,
With Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his
design
Moves like a ghost.
Related Themes:
Act 2, scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Light and Dark:
The motif of light and dark appears frequently throughout Macbeth, reinforcing the play's grim mood and highlighting themes of guilt, religion, and the supernatural. In Act 1, Scene 4, for instance, Macbeth resolves to hide his treacherous ambitions. He associates these desires with darkness and characterizes light as a supernatural "seeing" force that threatens to scrutinize his thoughts and intentions:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macbeth: Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
Related Themes:
Act 3, scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Light and Dark:
The motif of light and dark appears frequently throughout Macbeth, reinforcing the play's grim mood and highlighting themes of guilt, religion, and the supernatural. In Act 1, Scene 4, for instance, Macbeth resolves to hide his treacherous ambitions. He associates these desires with darkness and characterizes light as a supernatural "seeing" force that threatens to scrutinize his thoughts and intentions:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macbeth: Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires.
Related Themes:
Act 4, scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Scotland:
Throughout Macbeth, characters frequently attribute human characteristics to the nation of Scotland. For example, in Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff personifies Scotland as a fallen soldier who must be protected from attackers:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macduff: Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword and, like good men,
Bestride our downfall'n birthdom.
Act 5, scene 3
Explanation and Analysis—Scotland:
Throughout Macbeth, characters frequently attribute human characteristics to the nation of Scotland. For example, in Act 4, Scene 3, Macduff personifies Scotland as a fallen soldier who must be protected from attackers:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Macduff: Let us rather
Hold fast the mortal sword and, like good men,
Bestride our downfall'n birthdom.
