Darkness in Macbeth

779 Words2 Pages

In William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare uses numerous tools to create imagery. For each image, there are various views and imageries; he uses different techniques of writing to achieve dramatic purposes and tense atmospheres. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses darkness imagery without losing its effect. The elements used are typical, but written to be subtly linked and create a tough atmosphere. They are; noises, settings, witches and props.

First and foremost, the noises in Macbeth can clearly portray what has happened without explanation but from reactions of the characters. ‘A bell rings. I go, and it is done. The bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan. For it is a knell That summons thee to heaven or hell.’ Macbeth is evidently showing that he is proceeding with the plan of killing Duncan. The sound of the knell (a funeral bell) is Macbeth’s calling to do his deed, and he, being hypnotized, has taken that as his signal to murder. The word, ‘The bell invites me’ is the thought of being ‘invited’. It is as almost as, Macbeth’s ‘black and deep desires’ are slowly possessing him to kill Duncan. He is ignoring his conscience, which he once had, and feels absolutely no guilt. One does wonder though why Macbeth could have ignored the fact that every time a knell is heard, it may remind him of his doing. It is a possibility that Macbeth had adrenaline surging through him at the time, however it is also a possibility that he, himself may have wanted to be reminded to his doing; either in a positive after effect or negative. Positive, to remind that he had earned his way to the throne; negative, to recall Macbeth as a murderer and not a trustworthy ‘thane’. Although it is strange for him to try and retain the memory, he m...

... middle of paper ...

...e has set out how he wants to kill Duncan. His visual may cause his future regret. In his mind he is already a murderer and he is planned to kill more people as a leader, this may remind him of his doing. Although he should have taken this into consideration, he did not. It makes one curious if that his future repentance was intended or not. After the murder, he kept the dagger. He may have wanted to be caught for his actions as he still had his conscience to tell him his wrong doing. Being caught may free him from the guilt that will build up over years.

In conclusion, Shakespeare not only uses; noises, settings, witches and props, but also language and disguised metaphors. These are incorporated by various tools. Although some elements may be very innocent and simple they could have a deeper meaning, and Shakespeare expresses that throughout the story of Macbeth.

Open Document