A little water clears us of this deed
Lady Macbeth ironically states that "A little water clears us of this deed." This is ironic because she later is plagued by the apparition of blood on her hands, which she cannot wash off.
Fail not our feast
Another example of irony in Macbeth is the following conversation between Macbeth and Banquo:
‘Fail not our feast.’
‘My lord, I will not,’
This is ironic because Banquo will not attend that feast alive, as he will shortly be killed.
The Witches
Bradley argues that there is ironically nothing in the play Macbeth to suggest that the Witches are more than women. Although they are depicted as powerful supernatural forces, Bradley argues this is not necessarily illustrated in the language of the play.
Human agency
Bradley also argues that there is nothing in the play to suggest that Macbeth is controlled by the Witches. This is ironic because many readings of Macbeth focus on the powerful influence of the Witches upon the action of the play.
Irony in Macbeth
Bradley discusses the use of irony in Macbeth, suggesting there is something about this literary device that suits the mysterious nature of the play:
"It cannot be by accident that Shakespeare so frequently in this play uses a device which contributes to excite the vague fear of hidden forces operating on minds unconscious of their influence."
