Both works use pathetic fallacy to create a sense of tension, horror, and uncertainty. In Macbeth, the natural world is often disturbed by the unnatural deeds of the characters. For example, in Act 2, Scene 4, Ross and an old man describe the strange and ominous events that have occurred after the king's murder: "the night has been unruly", "the earth was feverous and did shake", "a falcon, towering in her pride of place, was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed", and "Duncan's horses...turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, contending 'gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind". These examples show how the natural order is inverted and corrupted by Macbeth's regicide, and how his crime affects not only the human realm. They also foreshadow his downfall, as he is compared to a falcon that is killed by a weaker bird, and his horses that rebel against him.
In Death and the Maiden, the weather is also used to create a sense of claustrophobia and danger. The play is set in a beach house that is isolated by a storm. The storm prevents Paulina's husband, Gerardo, from leaving the house or calling for help, and also cuts off the electricity. The storm symbolizes Paulina's inner turmoil and her desire for justice, as well as the political instability and violence of the country. The storm also creates a contrast between the inside and the outside of the house, as Paulina tries to keep Roberto captive and interrogate him, while Gerardo tries to maintain a sense of civility and rationality. The storm also adds to the suspense and ambiguity of the play, as the audience is left wondering whether Roberto is really Paulina's torturer or not, and whether she will kill him or not.
The moon represents the dual nature of truth and memory, as well as the contrast between light and darkness, hope and despair, and life and death. The moon is often associated with the night, when Paulina, the protagonist and a former political prisoner, suffers from nightmares and flashbacks of her torture and rape. The moon is a witness to her pain and fear, but also a source of illumination and clarity. Paulina claims that she can recognize Roberto, the doctor who allegedly participated in her abuse, by his voice and by the moonlight that shines on his face. The moon reveals his identity and his guilt, but also exposes Paulina's vulnerability and trauma.