Which event is an example of irony in Macbeth
A. Macbeth sees a bloody dagger on his way to kill the king and believes it’s a sign
B. Macbeth vows to find king Duncan’s murderer when in fact Macbeth himself has killed the king
C. lady Macbeth tells her husband that he has ruined the party after Macbeth sees banquos ghost
D. Macbeth tries to have Banquo and his son myrdered so that they will not take his throne
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Macbeth vows to find King Duncan’s murderer when, in fact, Macbeth himself has killed the king.
Explanation:
Irony in literature occurs when there is a discrepancy between what is expected and what actually happens. In Macbeth, one of the most significant examples of irony is when Macbeth, after murdering King Duncan, vows to find the king’s murderer. This is an instance of situational irony because the audience knows that Macbeth is, in fact, the murderer, but Macbeth himself is unaware of the tragic irony of his words. He does not realize that his own actions have set him on a path of destruction, and instead, he pretends to seek justice for the crime he committed.
This ironic moment highlights Macbeth’s growing guilt and internal conflict, as well as the theme of deception and betrayal that runs throughout the play. Macbeth’s decision to murder Duncan is driven by his ambition and the witches’ prophecy, but his reaction after the crime shows how deep his sense of guilt is already beginning to affect him. He is attempting to conceal his own guilt by taking on the role of a nobleman seeking to bring justice, but this only serves to emphasize the extent of his moral corruption.
Additionally, Macbeth’s vow to catch the murderer reinforces his downfall, as he becomes increasingly paranoid and driven to commit more murders to protect his throne. His actions contradict his words, and the audience is left to witness the tragic consequences of his ambition and deceit. This irony also ties into the broader theme of appearance versus reality in Macbeth, as Macbeth’s outwardly noble intentions are in stark contrast to his increasingly treacherous actions.