Question

Why do you think shakespeare chose to use apostrophe rather than simply describe a menacing dagger?

Answer 1

By having Macbeth directly address the dagger -- rather than just describing it -- he highlights Macbeth's unsteady mental state.

It is one thing for Shakespeare to describe a dagger; but to have Macbeth speak to it, while recognizing it is not physically there -- that's something else entirely. Thus, the apostrophe best conveys Macbeth's internal battle as doubt, fear, and willpower all exist in him at once.

Answer 2

In Act II, Scene I, of "The Tragedy of Macbeth", by William Shakespeare, the most likely reason he chose to use apostrophe instead of simply describe a menacing dagger when Macbeth addresses an imaginary dagger is to create a more dramatic effect. An apostrophe is a literary device that authors use when addressing a character that is not in the scene or when they address a personification, an idea or an inanimate object like in this case. Macbeth has made up his mind to kill the King. When left alone he sees this imaginary dagger signaling the way. "I see thee yet, in form as palpable  As this which now I draw.  Thou marshall’st me the way that I was going,.."