The Fall Of Macbeth

684 Words2 Pages

Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery. The forms of imagery that are used in his play 'Macbeth’ include the forms of clothing, darkness, and blood. Each image is an important symbol in the play.Clothing, is a major and crucial part of ‘Macbeth’, Shakespeare purposely used it to reveal Macbeth’s true character. It is also used to show how Macbeth is seeking to hide his “disgraceful self” from his eyes and from others. Clothes in the play aren’t really clothes; the clothes that are being talked about are statures. Throughout the play Macbeth is represented symbolically as a person that wears robes that are not belonging to him, a person with an undeserved dignity. Macbeth is never comfortable with his clothes because of his conscious also because the clothes or stature aren’t belonging to him. In the play, Macbeth is named the Thane of Cawdor, these clothes were well and fit but because of his greed Macbeth had to look upon other peoples clothing, since in his way of thinking others had better clothing. From that point on his greed took over. Therefore he was driven to kill the king so he can take his clothes.“The thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?”(Macbeth,1.3,108, p.12) “This means that Macbeth is always dressed in tittles that are not his.”New honours come upon him,Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould,But with the aid of use. (Banquo,1.3,144, p.14)“This means that the idea constantly recurs that Macbeth’s new honours sit ill upo...

Show More
Related

  • Motif of Blood in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    498 Words  | 1 Pages

    Shakespeare used the image of blood to portray the central idea of Macbeth, King Duncan’s murder.  The crime is foreshadowed in the second scene of the first act.  The king shouts, “ What bloody man is that?” (I,ii,1)  He is referring to a soldier coming in from battle.  The soldier then explains to King Duncan of Macbeth’s heroics in battle.  One assumes that Macbeth is bloody just like the soldier.  The soldier describes Macbeth in action “Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, / Which smoked with bloody execution.” (I,ii,17-18)  This line connects Macbeth with killing, and hints at the future.

    Read More

  • Clothing Motif In Macbeth

    566 Words  | 2 Pages

    When picturing a very elite person, such as Lady Macbeth, she has many articles of jewelry showing her wealth. Many jewels in her clothing, show power and higher status compared to a slave. She wears very big, elite, flashy dresses to catch attention and remind others of her status. Duncan most likely wore something equivalent to a suit and many rings, being a King to show once again, wealth and status. Act 3 scene 1, Macbeth speaks of Duncan’s murder, says his “eternal jewel” and peace has been annihilated for the King’s power, the jewels symbolize wealth and power. Power is important because there are many more privileges with being higher class, such as being the King of Scotland where the King has more power and can make decisions that a servant could not. Power also affects jobs, servants have little to no power and are treated terribly, Kings have most to all power and are treated royally. Lady Macbeth puts the idea of more power into Macbeth’s mind, and he wanted to be treated differently, more importantly. Wanting to be treated more

    Read More

  • Transforming or Revealing? A Look at Macbeth by Shakespeare

    724 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the first Act of Macbeth, Shakespeare uses loose clothing as a symbol of changing times. After Macbeth defeats Macdonwald, a traitor, he becomes the new Thane of Cawdor. Once he accepts his new title, he removes his fighting armor and replaces it with robes. He asks the people present, “Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” (1.4.108-9). Macbeth infers that the clothes of the previous Thane of Cawdor, the traitor, do not fit him. Shakespeare uses this symbolism throughout the play to show how Macbeth evolves into a greedy and murderous monster. Toward the final scenes of the play, Macbeth realizes what he has become. While Macbeth requests to be put into his armor for his last battle, Angus makes a comment about him to Menteith, Caithness, and Lennox, “Those he commands move only in command, nothing in love. Now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish thief” (5.2.19-22). Angus says that anyone who follows Macbeth does so only out of command to do so, not out of love. He also remarks that the title of “King” does not fit Macbeth, but rather it hangs around him like a dwarf in a giant’s clothing. Shakespeare shows the transformations of Macbeth simply through what he we...

    Read More

  • Language Techniques Used In Macbeth

    754 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of imagery of animals such as A falcon, tow’ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawked at and killed. helps the reader get a better understanding of the disruption to order and power that has occurred due to King Duncan’s murder. Shakespeare uses this analogy to show that Macbeth is lower in the food chain like the owl meaning he is weaker, yet he manages to kill the king who holds the most power like the falcon. Through this, the audience can see the chaos this creates as the events that have occurred have gone against nature. Imagery of blood is used abundantly in the play as it is frequently repeated to reinforce the guilt Macbeth and Lady Macbeth feel after the murder like What hands are here! Ha! They pluck out mine eyes. Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood, Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather, The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the

    Read More

  • Blood In Macbeth Essay

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    The contrast is that the Bell Shakespeare production uses modern clothing. An example of this is King Duncan wearing a suit to show his position in society as someone of importance, maintaining the idea of a hierarchy. Whereas other characters such as, Seyton (Macbeth's servant) who is in a low position in society would not wear fancy clothing, portrayed through jeans and a T-shirt. In Act 1 scene 3 Banquo observes Macbeth’s uneasiness in adjusting to this new role of Thane as he states, “New honours come upon him, like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould, but with the aid of use.” Macbeth himself also struggles to accept being dressed in a Thane's clothing because he does not feel like he owns the title. This further illustrates that Macbeth is suspicious of the witches’ predictions and is not sure about his fate to have these titles. Consequently, in both productions, clothing represents the character's fate, especially

    Read More

  • The Downfall of Lady Macbeth

    583 Words  | 2 Pages

    serious if his wife was not more anxious than he was.  She, more than her

    Read More

  • The Curse of Macbeth

    876 Words  | 2 Pages

    Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's more popular plays, and nearly everyone knows about the abundant blood and gore, the witches, Lady Macbeth's ambition, and the ghost of Banquo. However, not as many people know about the superstitions that surround this play.  There's a long-standing belief that the play is jinxed, than any company that produces it is courting disaster, and that quoting from the play (or even saying the title) leads to serious bad luck.

    Read More

  • How Does Shakespeare Use Clothing In Macbeth

    1298 Words  | 3 Pages

    Macbeth has told his wife, Lady Macbeth, that he has changed his mind about killing King Duncan, "We will proceed no further in this business: / He hath honored me of late, and I have bought / Golden opinions from all sorts of people, / which would be worn now in their newest gloss, / not cast aside so soon." (Act I, Scene vi, Lines 31-35) Macbeth feels honored that the King trusts him and doesn't want to go further with the plan to assassinate Duncan so he can be King. The clothes being “worn” represents Macbeth's newly gained respect and title of Cawdor. He believed he and Lady Macbeth should be content with and delighted to show off this title, instead of throwing it all away, to achieve something else. This quote demonstrates Macbeth does not start off as overly ambitious, but rather is initially appreciative and satisfied with his title and

    Read More

  • Symbolism in Macbeth: Blood, Weather, Light and Darkness,

    1097 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many symbols used in Macbeth that help us to better understand the play. In the following paragraphs I will explain them in depth. There are four symbols that I will discuss below, they are light and darkness it represents the good and bad things that take place throughout the play. The second symbolism is blood. The blood represents murder and guilt like the blood on the dagger and the blood on Lady Macbeth's hand. The weather represents the different tragedies that take place and another symbolism is the dead children.

    Read More

  • Patterns of Images and Imagery in Macbeth

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Shakespeare's Macbeth, various types of imagery are used throughout the play. Five of these images are nature, paradoxes, manhood, masks, and light vs. darkness. In Act I, Scene i, Line 1, the description of "Thunder and lightning" represents disturbances in nature. The witches are surrounded by a shroud of thunder and lightning, which might personify them as disturbances. In Act II, Scene i, the dark night creates a perfect scene for the baneful murders.

    Read More

  • Use of Blood in Macbeth

    595 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagery is the use of symbols to convey an idea or to create a specific atmosphere for the audience. Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth often, the most prevalent one, is blood. I believe he uses this as a way to convey guilt, murder, betrayal, treachery and evil, and to symbolize forewarning of events.

    Read More

  • The Destruction of Macbeth

    1733 Words  | 4 Pages

    At some point in the life of every individual, certain events and changes occur that shape the person into how they will behave and appear in the future. The life of an individual either starts to blossom with opportunity or starts going through a consistent downward spiral. How does it work out perfectly for some and go wrong for others? Macbeth is a prime example of how one decision can alter life forever. As Macbeth tries to successfully pursue his prophecies, his mind and body slowly deteriorate until he has nothing left to live for. Tillyard once explained that the human mind works through reason, will, and passion (Tillyard-The Elizabethan World Picture). These ideas are somewhat parallel to Macbeth’s actions. Once he begins feeling guilty of his actions, fearful of being caught, and driven to have total control, the motives of his mind are gradually moving from being thought out with reason, to will, and finally to passion. As Macbeth makes his descent into death, his passion to be king gradually takes control his whole being. At the lowest point of his existence there is no reason left inside him. His mind is so busy and crazy that he no longer has the ability to make thoughtful and insightful decisions. He goes from being a loyal and careful servant to a deceitful and scattered ruler.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In Macbeth

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    In William Shakespeare's Macbeth, symbolism plays a prominent role to emphasize the theme of corruption of power. Throughout the play there are several main symbols repeatedly used to emphasize this theme. The contrast of light and dark representing good and evil, blood representing guilt, murder, and pain, and the archetypal pattern of purification by using water represents removal of guilt, cleansing and peace. Symbolism is used repeatedly to emphasize the theme of corruption of power.

    Read More

  • Symbols, Symbolism, Images, and Imagery in Macbeth

    793 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery in his plays.  Imagery, the art of making images, the products of imagination.  In the play Macbeth Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness and blood.  Each detail in his imagery contains an important symbol of the play.  These symbols need to be understood in order to interpret the entire play.

    Read More

  • Macbeth: A Tragic Hero

    1162 Words  | 3 Pages

    Seeking for greater power, Macbeth murders Duncan who is the king at that time, which caused a great pain for the kingdom. Duncan is a great king, but just not a so good human reader. He has never been aware of Macbeth. He never have a thought that Macbeth might be a danger, who is willing to kill him for the throne. On the other hand, Macbeth does not accept to be just a general for the rest of his life. He wants a greater power, higher position than he is having at the time. Because of the suggests from the trio witches: “ All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!/ All hail, Macbeth, that shalt be king hereafter!”(1.2.49-50), Macbeth has the thinking about killing the king to take his throne. By calling Macbeth the Thane of Cawdor, they give Macbeth the thought that being a king is his fate. On the night Macbeth is planning to murder Duncan, the Old Man see many strange events: “And Duncan’s horses (a thing most strange and certain),/ Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race, /Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out/ Contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would/ Make war with mankind” (2.4.14-18). It creates a scary feeling in the kingdom, and means something bad will happen to the kingdom.

    Read More

More about The Fall Of Macbeth

Open Document