Pick one of the options below and describe how it is an example of situational irony. A. Macbeth shall never vanquished'd be until/ Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsiane Hill/ Shall come against him. B. Laugh to scorn/ The power of man, for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth. C. Beware Macduff! / Beware the Thane of Fife. (4 Points)
Option A: "Macbeth shall never vanquished'd be until/ Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsiane Hill/ Shall come against him."
This is an example of situational irony because Macbeth interprets the prophecy to mean that he is invincible and cannot be defeated until a forest physically moves to attack him. However, in the final battle, Macbeth realizes that the prophecy is fulfilled when his enemies camouflage themselves with tree branches from Birnam Wood, thus giving the illusion that the forest is indeed moving against him. This unexpected turn of events is ironic because Macbeth's confident interpretation of the prophecy is ultimately proven false.
Option B: "Laugh to scorn/ The power of man, for none of woman born/ Shall harm Macbeth."
This is an example of situational irony because Macbeth interprets this prophecy from the witches to mean that he cannot be harmed by any man. However, Macduff later reveals that he was "untimely ripped" from his mother's womb, making him technically not "born of woman" in the conventional sense. This unexpected revelation overturns Macbeth's belief in his invulnerability, leading to his demise. The irony lies in the fact that Macbeth's misguided confidence in the prophecy ultimately leads to his downfall.
Option C: "Beware Macduff! / Beware the Thane of Fife."
This is an example of situational irony because Macbeth initially dismisses the warning about Macduff, believing himself to be safe from any harm. However, as the play progresses, Macduff becomes Macbeth's main antagonist, leading an army against him and eventually killing him. The ironic twist is that Macduff, the very person Macbeth thought posed no threat, becomes the instrument of his demise. The warning, which Macbeth initially disregards, proves to be a foreshadowing of his downfall.