Light and Dark Imagery Depicted in Shakespeare's Macbeth

684 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The witches in macbeth analysis

The natural order of the world is disrupted; this is made obvious from the start of the play. Even though they generally speak in riddle, the three witches are significant characters because of their foresight and knowledge of future atmosphere.

‘Fair is foul and foul is fair.’

~Act 1, Scene 1~

Because this chant is towards the beginning of the play, the audience immediately see the supernatural control over things.

Throughout the play of Macbeth the audience is made aware of the differences in dark and light. This could be seen as being metaphorical for many other binary oppositions one of which being good and evil. This example supports the power of the witches, representing evil and the dark.

Another scene that shows Macbeth is a play of light and dark is act 1 scene 4 Macbeth whispers to himself.

‘Stars; hide your fires / let not light see my black and deep desires’

~Act 1, Scene 4~

The dark is seen as a mask that can disguise and hide, this is foreshadowed when King Duncan at the announcement of his successor says; ‘but signs of nobleness, like stars, shall s...

Show More
Related

  • Wild Thinking in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    550 Words  | 2 Pages

    The play starts out immediately with and example of this. Three witches are the first characters that appear on stage. They are conversing of when they will meet again to discuss some important information that will occur later in the story. At the end of this first scene, the three witches vanish into the wind.

    Read More

  • The Influence of the Supernatureal in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    765 Words  | 2 Pages

    The legendary plot of Macbeth, like those of many Shakespearean plays, relies heavily on the influence of the supernatural. The play itself reflects on the dark inane tendencies of humans to be evil, especially when faced with a thirst for power. Throughout its course, the reader is able to witness a man’s transformation from a brave soldier to a murdering madman. Without the impact of certain apparitions, hallucinations, and three bearded witches, the events of the story would not have unfolded as they did. The root evil is first planted in the minds of two ambitious people, creating in their minds a projection of how things will turn out. Unbeknownst to our two leading lunatics, the eventual outcome of the play will not be the scenario drawn up in their twisted minds.

    Read More

  • The Witches: Catalysts of Terror in Macbeth

    1958 Words  | 4 Pages

    Apparitions were also involved in the telling of the story and helped to portray an eerie air. The Apparitions appeared in the first scene of the fourth act after being summoned by The Witches, “Come, high or low; / Thyself and office deftly show!” (4.1.71-72) As The Apparitions spoke to Macbeth about his future and his ultimate demise, the first witch warns Macbeth that the apparition can hear his thoughts so he should refrain from speaking to them, “He knows thy thought: Hear his speech, but say thou nought” (4.1.69-70). This warning gives off a feeling of fear and unpredictability that proves the supernatural world is beyond any human control or comprehension (Boyce 1). The Apparitions, along with The Witches, add a unique theme to the play itself, however, The Witches bring the theme to life at the beginning of the play and The Apparitions carry it through until the

    Read More

  • Imagery In Macbeth: A Dark And Stormy Night

    1467 Words  | 3 Pages

    Shakespeare was one of the most celebrated playwrights of all time. He uses powerful imagery in order to show the tone, and foreshadow what is to come in many of his plays. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses weather imagery in order to set the tone and foreshadow what is about to happen in the scene.

    Read More

  • Power and Control in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    499 Words  | 1 Pages

    The three witches use cleverly chosen words and prophecies to exert control over others. These prophecies seem to be more potent than any action, as they can be interpreted in any number of ways, and have the ability to provoke otherwise hidden thoughts and desires. For instance, upon hearing the first prophecies and seeing the first part come true, Macbeth says, “This supernatural soliciting, cannot be ill, cannot be good … If good, why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs.” This shows the power of the witches, and indeed the supernatural in general. The prophecies, of which Macbeth is convinced are true, have provoked thoughts and ideas, both good and evil.

    Read More

  • Imagery In Macbeth

    1784 Words  | 4 Pages

    If a picture tells a thousand words, than imagine the importance of an image upon a play such as Macbeth. In any literary work, it is extremely important that the author can effectively manipulate a reader's feelings towards a character. In Macbeth, that feat is accomplished magnificently by Shakespeare. Through his skillful use of imagery, Shakespeare shows us a deeper look into the true character of Macbeth. Though imagery is widespread throughout Macbeth, it is most dominant in clothing imagery, light and darkness imagery, and blood imagery. Through these images,

    Read More

  • How Is Darkness Used In Macbeth

    678 Words  | 2 Pages

    Is ’t night’s predominance or the day’s shame that darkness does the face of Earth entomb when living light should kiss it? ” (Act 2, Scene 4) The order and balance of the nature was interrupted and the transformation on the relationship between light and darkness sounds similar with Duncan and Macbeth’s. The earthquake and storms served as precursors of this unusual phenomenon which gives audience a hint of the horrible unexpected scenes

    Read More

  • The Supernatural in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1823 Words  | 4 Pages

    As the play continues the supernatural is used more. Act 1 Scene 3 is Macbeth’s first meeting with the witches, and is also the first time the audience sees or experiences the witches’ supernatural abilities.

    Read More

  • Symbolism In Macbeth

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... 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.

    Read More

  • Dark Images and Imagery in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    871 Words  | 2 Pages

    Darkness is often used at times in the play when a tragic event has occurred. The morning after Macbeth killed Duncan remained in darkness, because the sun did not rise. "Is ‘t the night’s predominance or the day’s shame that darkness does the face of the earth entomb when living light should kiss it?" (2:4, 10-12) Ross said these words referring to the unusual darkness of the day. He wondered if the night had become stronger than the day, and overcome it, so that the sun could no longer shine. He mused that it seemed as though the earth was shrouded with the darkness, when the light of the sun that brings life should have ensconced it. In this quote, darkness symbolizes death and light symbolizes life. It suggests that the whole country is as good as dead since their king has been killed, because the natural order has been disturbed. The disturbance to the natural order caused all of nature is disturbed, d...

    Read More

  • Use of Night and Darkness in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Use of Night and Darkness in Macbeth 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.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Sound in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1907 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macbeth, the shortest and perhaps darkest play by Shakespeare, is a tale of over-riding ambition, human nature, and supernatural meddling. Macbeth is the main character in the play, and although he begins the story a loyal subject and brave hero, the power bestowed on him poisens and corrupts him until he eventually turns evil and seeks more, to his downfall. As the central figure of the play, Macbeth sets in motion a sequence of events that brings about the destruction and eventual rebirth of Scotland, giving the play an essentially dark tone. There are, however, varying degrees of evil, subtly different in texture and context. One way Shakespeare indicates the styles of evil throughout the play Macbeth is through the use of sounds. Sounds in the play fall under four categories: nature, man-made, the sounds of battle, and human cries.

    Read More

  • Macbeth - Evil And Darkness

    619 Words  | 2 Pages

    Shakespeare often uses darkness and will frequently set the scene as a dark and stormy night. This depicts that evil happenings are occurring or are about to take place. There are at least three examples of this in "Macbeth". "The night has been unruly: where we lay,/Our chimneys were blown down; and, as they say,/Lamentings heard i’ the air; strange screams of death,..." (Act 2 scene 3 line 54-56). "Three score and ten I can remember well;/Within the volume of which time I have seen/Hours of dreadful and things strange, but this sore night/Hath trifled former knowings." (Act 2 scene 4 line 1-4). Both these quotes are talking about the night of Duncan’s death. They are showing the comparisons between the natural unruliness and the anomalous disaster. "And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp." (Act 2 scene 4 line 7) is a metaphor for both the murder of Duncan and the night in which it transpired. A dark and stormy image is also portrayed when pernicious characters (ie. the witches, Macbeth and the murderers) meet.

    Read More

  • Witches, Supernatural, and Evil in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    935 Words  | 2 Pages

    No discussion of evil in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth would be satisfactory without considering its’ most famous symbols of evil: the coven of witches whose interactions with Macbeth play such a vital role in his thinking about his own life. Banquo and Macbeth recognize them as something supernatural, part of the landscape but not fully human inhabitants of it. They have malicious intentions and prophetic powers. And yet they are not active agents in the sense that they do nothing other than talk and offer visions and potions. The witches have no power to compel. If we are to explore the significance of these witches we must do so by treating them as vital poetic symbols in the play, essential manifestations of the moral atmosphere of Macbeth's world.

    Read More

  • How Does The Witches Affect Macbeth

    1107 Words  | 3 Pages

    They challenge Macbeth’s character over the course of the play by giving him three simple prophecies about his life. The witches cause the play’s theme to start as very dark and gloomy because of their prophecies to Macbeth. If

    Read More

More about Light and Dark Imagery Depicted in Shakespeare's Macbeth

Open Document