Analysis Of Imagery And Symbolism In Macbeth

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Macbeth: Analysis of Imagery and Symbolism (4.1) In the first act of scene four, Macbeth returns to the Weird Sisters demanding to be shown his future through apparitions. He even goes as far to say that he would prefer the universe go into chaos than be denied of what he wants to know. Macbeth aggressively questions and pressures the witches into revealing his future, so they present him the apparitions. The first apparition is the head of a warrior, the second is a bloody child’s head, and the third apparition is a child wearing a crown. After Macbeth receives these seemingly good apparitions, he gets upset over the witches showing him that the kings to follow him will all be descendants of Banquo. Following this, he reveals that he will …show more content…

This apparition is given to him, as the witches say, “Macbeth shall never vanquished be until / Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill / Shall come against him.” (5.1.96-98) This example of garden imagery is interpreted by Macbeth as a good sign. He believes that since woods obviously are unable to walk, that he is safe and shall still be in power. The third apparition Macbeth is shown can be related to the last main component of human psyche, the ID. The ID seeks immediate fulfillment and relates to egotistical actions. This psychic component is unquestionably shown in Macbeth. His large ego and overconfidence in himself clearly present this component to the audience. Macbeth believes he is fit for king, even though it is very evident throughout the entire play he is nowhere near able to reign a kingdom. Even when obstacles are presented to Macbeth, and the apparitions are not shown in his favour, he still remains egotistical. This component of human psyche allows the audience to develop a further understanding of Macbeth and why he took the actions he did. The psychological characteristics he clearly has shows how his character was doomed from the beginning, and why he failed in his plan to be

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