“Let not light see my black and deep desires”: A corpus-based analysis of Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Božnik, Kaja (author), Kavalir, Monika (mentor), Blake, Jason Frederick (comentor)

The aim of this thesis is to examine the role of language in the characterization of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, two central figures from The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare. The study employs a corpus-based methodological approach involving keyword analysis to analyse the speech of both characters. Quantitative data was processed using the Sketch Engine tool and discussed in light of previous research on Macbeth. The findings suggest that the two characters exhibit similar attitudes towards their own crimes, sharing a preoccupation with the consequences of murder rather than the immorality of the act itself. Based on the results, they are shown to differ in their usage of specific linguistic features linked to their deceptive and manipulative natures – Lady Macbeth overuses negative markers and relative clauses, while Macbeth employs imperative constructions with let. Their respective roles within the tragedy are also reflected in their usage of personal pronouns. Overall, the study further underscores the value of applying corpus-based techniques to the analysis of literary texts.

• Language: English
• Keywords: characterization, corpus stylistics, keyword analysis, Macbeth, Shakespeare
• Work type: Master's thesis/paper
• Organization: FF - Faculty of Arts
• Year: 2026
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-180508
• COBISS.SI-ID: 276610051
• Publication date in RUL: 11.03.2026

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Title: “Naj luč ne zrè mi črne želje skrite”: Korpusna analiza Shakespearove tragedije Macbeth

Abstract

Namen magistrskega dela je preučiti vlogo jezika pri karakterizaciji Macbetha in Lady Macbeth, dveh osrednjih likov v Tragediji o Macbethu Williama Shakespeara. Govor obeh likov smo analizirali na podlagi korpusnega metodološkega pristopa, ki zajema tudi analizo ključnih besed. Kvantitativne podatke smo obdelali z orodjem Sketch Engine in jih obravnavali v luči preteklih raziskav o Macbethu. Izsledki nakazujejo, da literarna lika svoje zločine dojemata na podoben način, pri čemer se ukvarjata predvsem s posledicami umora in ne s krutostjo dejanja kot takega. Glede na rezultate se med seboj razlikujeta v uporabi specifičnih jezikovnih prvin, povezanih z njunim zavajanjem in preračunljivostjo – za Lady Macbeth je značilna pogosta raba nikalnic in oziralnih odvisnikov, Macbeth pa se poslužuje velelniških konstrukcij z glagolom let. Vlogi obeh literarnih likov znotraj tragedije se odražata tudi v njuni rabi osebnih zaimkov. Raziskava potrjuje učinkovitost uporabe korpusnih tehnik pri analizi literarnih besedil.

• Keywords: karakterizacija, korpusna stilistika, analiza ključnih besed, Macbeth, Shakespeare