Sense Of Horror In Macbeth

Sense Of Horror In Macbeth

How does Shakespeare create a sense of horror?



Shakespeare creates a sense of horror when Macbeth realises that the dead will have their revenge, in act 3 scene 4 but Shakespeare creates a sense of horror earlier on in the play.

In Macbeth, blood is a re–occurring image of horror, as well as symbolising murder and guilt.



In Act 3 scene 4, Macbeth becomes aware of the dead having their revenge. This is clear in the line "it will have blood; they say, blood will have blood." Repetition of the word "blood" creates a sense of horror as it shows Macbeth's state of mind. In other words, all he can think of is murder and how it will lead to his own fate; it shows paranoia.

Repetition the word "blood" also shows that Macbeth sees murder as his only option, he first killed Duncan and then ordered the murderers to kill Banquo, the third "blood" could symbolise Macbeth's own fate or it could symbolise Fleance having his revenge against Macbeth.

In the following line "stones have been known to move and trees to speak" Shakespeare uses personification to create a sense of horror. The phrase "stones have been known to move" could symbolise the realisation that occurred after the deaths of Duncan and Banquo. This creates a sense of horror as Macbeth's mind is corrupted with his earlier murders, it could show Macbeth having no other choice but to commit to murder to continue his reign of being king.

After this, Macbeth asks Lady Macbeth "what is the night?" with Lady Macbeth responding

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