Imagery in Macbeth
Darkness, disorder, mayhem, fear, guilt, and hypocrisy are all important themes carried throughout William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" by the effective use of imagery in reference to ill-fitting clothing, blood, and light verses dark. Imagery in this play tiptoes its way though every scene to create a malevolent atmosphere of shame and false pretenses.
The contrast between light and dark during "Macbeth" clearly relates to the conflict between good and evil. Darkness is used throughout the play to create a desolate and disturbed atmosphere filled with disarray. Darkness is always prominent during murders and tragic events. When Macbeth realizes that Malcolm is named heir in act 1, scene 4, by the king, Macbeth becomes enveloped in jealousy and says, "Let not light see my black and deep desires" (I.IV.57-58). He hopes that darkness will hide his deepest desires. When Macbeth and Lady Macbeth discuss the murder of Duncan, Lady Macbeth calls on evil to wrap itself around her in a blanket of darkness so that she would not be suspected in the lines, "Come, thick night, /And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell," (I.V.53-54). The morning after Duncan was murdered; Scotland remained in darkness and obscurity. The events that involve immoral acts by characters are continuously done in the presence of darkness. Therefore, one can conclude that evil and death is demonstrated throughout "Macbeth" with the company of darkness. Light, conversely signifies all things good and sane during the play. Within the whole drama, the sun only seems to shine twice: Act 1, scene 6, where Duncan and most other characters are sitting in a serene area in front of the castle, all are in high spiri...
... middle of paper ...
...ich is intriguing to the readers in order to hold their attention and further their perception of the play. As well, blood imagery is successfully used to illustrate the strong character shift experienced by Macbeth from a brave soldier, to a murderer, to a man filled with self-induced guilt. Macbeth was given the title thane of Cawdor, and he was easily corrupted by the power.
Works Cited and Consulted:
Bradley, A.C. Shakespearean Tragedy. Toronto: Penguin Books Canada Ltd., 1991.
Edwards, Terence. Twentieth Century Interpretations of Macbeth. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall Inc., 1977.
Shakespeare, William. Tragedy of Macbeth . Ed. Barbara Mowat and Paul Warstine. New York: Washington Press, 1992.
Scott, Mark W. (Editor). Shakespeare for Students. Gale Research Inc. Detroit, Michigan. 1992
same as it was when the ball was first dropped as there is energy loss
you don't get it higher than ten feet it has no chance to go in.
in the air and again hope it hit my glove. It did hit the glove but bounced
(Macbeth 1. 1. line 1). This is a good example of darkness imagery because when
When I drop the golf ball I wouldn't have to throw the golf ball in to
After the ball is released, point the tip of the stick at the target and don’t let it go higher than your waist.
you throw your opponent the more points you receive. You can win if you throw
“This tyrant whose sole name blisters our tongues, was once thought honest…” (77). This quote represents the change of Macbeth throughout the play. The use of blood imagery is used to represent the character development of Macbeth from a noble thane to a murdering tyrant. We first see blood imagery characterizing Macbeth when he is called noble for defeating Norway. Then, the idea of un-washable blood shows that Macbeth’s character will change. When Macbeth begins to experience the blood of others on his own hands, it leads him to ultimately become the “villain” or antagonist of the play. Finally, before the death of Macbeth, blood imagery has been used to characterize Macbeth so much that he is now over confident and seems to be fueled by the idea of it. By examining the use of blood imagery, one can determine that blood represents Macbeth’s character development from an honorable thane to a disrespected tyrant.
Shakespeare, William. Macbeth. Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. Ed. X.J. Kennedy and Dana Gioia. 7th ed. New York: Longman, 1999.
Shakespeare is known for his descriptively rich plays. He also ways does an excellent job of describing both the characters as well as the setting. One specific area of the play MacBeth is the use of night and darkness to show evil or happening that are not right. Examples of this are the many appearances of the witches, the murders that occur, and the conflicts that MacBeth faces with his mental health. The following three paragraphs will further discuss these topics.
... a dark setting used which involved supernatural events, while the light setting was used for last battle, when Macbeth was slain at the end to show the restoration of peace and honesty. Thus the symbolism of light and darkness representing good and evil in the play emphasizes the theme of corruption of power.
back it should still fall in), letting the ball go at the same time as
Imagery plays a crucial role in developing of the plot. This is seen through the images of clothing, darkness and blood. Clothing in Macbeth is often compared to positions or ranks. Macbeth's ambition caused him to strive to improve his social standing. Darkness establishes the evil parts of the play. Blood the most dominant image in the play brings a sense of guilt and violence to the tragedy. It leads Macbeth to continue his deceitful life. Shakespeare makes his use of imagery well known. Without imagery Macbeth may have lacked because imagery gives an effect on the play as a whole.
Shakespeare, William, and John Crowther. No Fear Shakespeare: Macbeth. ed. New York: Spark Publishing, 2003. Print.
Shakespeare’s play Macbeth has a series of motifs or patterns of imagery such as ambition and greed, unnatural deeds versus human nature, females and evil, and hallucinations, however the one pattern of imagery that the reader can recognize everywhere in Macbeth without the word beginning said is blood.Blood reveals the theme of violence and cruelty in Macbeth.Where there is violence there is blood, where there is dishonesty there is blood and even when there is uncertainty there is blood.In the next paragraphs I will recognize how bloodshed results in victory, guilt and finally tragedy and how it reveals the theme of violence and cruelty.