In Shakespeare's Macbeth, what is the technique used when Macbeth sent a letter for Lady Macbeth?

Question

this is the letter that macbeth sent to lady macbeth “They met me in the day of success, and I have learned by the perfectest report they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it came missives from the king, who all-hailed me 'Thane of Cawdor,' by which title, before, these weird sisters saluted me, and referred me to the coming on of time with 'Hail, king that shalt be!' This have I thought good to deliver thee, my dearest partner of greatness, that thou mightst not lose the dues of rejoicing, by being ignorant of what greatness is promised thee. Lay it to thy heart, and farewell.”

Answer 1

Hi Eugene.

 

I'm guessing that the technique in question is foreshadowing--the hinting that something (usually bad!) is coming.

 

Basically, Macbeth sending this joyous, gloating letter ("OMG, they said I'd be Thane of Cawdor, and now I AM! And they said I'm gonna be  King, too! This is SOOO GREAT!") is just a giant red flag that things are in fact going to be NOT great before too long.

 

Everything the witches tell him turns out to be true down the road, but he is so power hungry that he only sees the good side of it. Thanks to Shakespeare's use of foreshadowing, we the audience can see the disasters coming as the play progresses, but by the time Macbeth gets it, it's too late. 

 

Great play. Dig in and enjoy!

 

Matt