Macbeth Speech Analysis

Macbeth speech analysis: Sergeant I. ii. 9-25, 27-35, 38-46 In the beginning of act 1 scene 2, Macbeth’s bravery and his heroic skills are being mentioned by the wounded sergeant. The reminiscent diction, imagery, allusion, and symbolism of the battle, narrated by the sergeant reveal Macbeth’s bravery and his loyalness towards King Duncan at the beginning of the play, but it changes afterwards. Through the imagery and the symbolism used, it is revealed that both armies were almost equally strong, but the battle was won mainly because of Macbeth. The heroic character of Macbeth is revealed, which leads Macbeth to ambition of being the king. The beginning of Sergeant’s speech, it is revealed that the battle was tough and hard for either side of the armies to win, Macbeth’s army and Macdonwald’s were equally strong, “Doubtful is stood,/ as two spent swimmers that do cling together/ and choke their art”(I.ii.9-11). The sergeant describes the battle by using a simile. He compares both Macbeth’s army and Macdonwald’s army to two competing swimmers, both compete as long as their strength is not exhausted, they desperately cling to each other, thus they try to choke and kill each other. Similar is the case with both the armies, they are in a fierce battle to destroy each other. Symbolic images and allusion reveals Macbeth’s bravery in the battlefield while fighting Macdonwald, as victory gained after the battle reveals his bravery. “Till he faced the slave/ which never shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, / till he unseamed him from the nave to the chops, / and fixed his head upon out battlements” (I.ii. 22-25). Macbeth charged right through Macdonwald’s men, killing his soldiers left and on the right, until he got to Macdonwald himself and split Macdonwald from his belly button to the jaw without giving him a chance to