Duncan’s Death: Suspenseful to Say the Least

Much can be conveyed from the scenes which precede that of King Duncan’s death. With the three witches having enlightened Macbeth as to his future, he takes it upon himself to fulfill what he believes to be his destiny. Closing Act 1, and opening Act 2, references alluding to the looming event soon to come are evident. Shakespeare utilizes a myriad of literary devices and methods by which he builds suspense leading up to Duncan’s death, including foreshadowing, metaphor, and personification.