Imagery In MacbethEssay Preview: Imagery In MacbethReport this essayImagery in MacbethIn Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses many images to represent the feelings of the characters and to foreshadow the outcome of the play in connection with the theme and conflicts. In any literary work, it is extremely important for an author to effectively influence a readers emotions and feelings. In Macbeth, that feat is accomplished by Shakespeare. Through his skillful use of imagery, Shakespeare shows us a deeper look into the true character of Macbeth and the tragic role he plays in his environment. Though imagery is widespread throughout Macbeth, it is most dominant in animal imagery, blood imagery, and plant imagery. Through these images, Shakespeare demonstrates the development of Macbeths character as well as the theme and outcome of the play. The theme is related to fate in connection with the disruption of natural order.
Animal imagery plays a pivotal role in Macbeth. Shakespeare uses it for three main reasons: to foreshadow, to show emotions, and to contribute to the theme. The first animal that is introduced is the raven. “The raven himself is hoarse/ that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements” (1.5; 36-38). Here Lady Macbeth had received word from the messenger of Macbeth that he was Thane of Cawdor and would become king of Scotland by the three witchs predictions. Here is also were Lady
Macbeth decides that killing Duncan would be necessary to make the witches prophecies come true. Therefore, the raven is used to represent the death and destruction that will result in Duncans demise. This was one example that was used to show how animal imagery foreshadowed future events. Another example is the scorpions, which were used to show Macbeths emotions. Macbeth stated “O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife” as his mind was beginning to become poisoned and paranoid over his actions (3.2; 35). He was becoming excessively overwhelmed during this time, so consequently his wrong-doings began to catch up with him. The next example contributed to the theme of the breakdown of natural order as caused by fate. When Ross spoke with an old man, the old man told of strange happenings that involved an owl killing a falcon and horses feasting on one another. (2.4; 10-18) Shakespeare used these events to represent the collapse of order where the roles of the prey and predators reversed and other uncommon occurrences took place. This also occurred in the play when Macbeth, a thane, killed Duncan, the king. Animal imagery was very important because it helped the reader understand Macbeths character, since he was associated with lions, and eagles at the beginning of the play but then later with scorpions and other vicious animals. (Wikipedia)
“Vicious” is a key word in relation to the next form of imagery which is blood imagery. Shakespeare uses blood imagery to add a sense of fear, guilt, shame, insanity, and anger to the atmosphere. In the beginning of the play, Macbeths army had just defeated Norwegian invaders in a gruesome battle. In this instance, blood was associated with good because Macbeth preformed well in the battle and was commended for his
actions. Later on, blood took on a more negative role as it was linked to Duncans death and to Macbeths insanity. In Act two, scene one, Macbeth had a sudden vision of a dagger floating in the air with its tip aiming toward Duncan. Afterwards, blood imagery is used as Macbeth gives a description of how Duncan will be murdered. “I see thee still; /and on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, /which was not so before” (2.1; 46-47). Since there was not an actual scene of when Duncan was murdered, blood imagery allowed the reader to visualize this scene in their minds. Soon after, blood was connected with guilt as Macbeth said “will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood/ clean from my hand?” (2.2; 59-60) Through Shakespeares abundant use of blood imagery, Macbeths character develops. This is apparent as Macbeth changes from a noble person at the beginning of the play, to a sinister, dishonorable man toward the end. Hence,
”. I understand that the blood of Macbeth is not the real blood of Duncan. Perhaps he had some other blood to clean, or perhaps he could have been killed by the sword and dagger.”(2.3; 59-60) Another similarity between character characters and human beings is the blood from the hands of their victims. Some blood from their hands is linked (and sometimes symbolized) with their crimes. Or perhaps their hands have long ago forgotten, although some were bound to their victims. However, the blood which appears on screen, seems to have no bearing on the rest of the action.
„ (2.4; 61-62) Blood from hands of a character or a villain. † I know, you can imagine, what must be done. But, this is not necessary. The blood drawn by an ordinary person, a good man, is also drawn through a dark and twisted side. In Macbeth’s case, blood drawn by an innocent man is a form of murder. He will have many crimes. He will commit many other sins as he lives, and, perhaps, in some way, his death will affect others. If the blood in his veins turns white, then it will mean that there is something evil in him. If the blood in his veins turns red, there will be a good man who will die. And that’s what happened to Thomas McDowell, who hanged himself while in the water when he was about to drown after being dragged from a great stream by a gator, and whose face was turned white, and who had his hands bloodstained. If blood drawn by a man in his early twenties-40’s can’t be shown for the rest of his life, then must it be that his hands were bloodstained?
‡(2.5; 62-63) A man in prison will have to walk up to someone in line who is at a stop and look round to see if the rest of the audience can see him. However, he cannot see anyone except his guardsmen. If the line is broken and the person is out of line, the other crowd cannot see him, since they are outside. And so, if you have a man who is very drunk, or who can see no one but guardsmen, then you could say that he really should not be on his foot, since they may not be around, because some of the guardsmen will say, “The drunk person must not be standing up to look at any of you!”•(3.1; 64-65) This would seem to imply that he has got to get out for a drink before he can see anybody. And that makes no difference. Therefore, you cannot draw blood by a man in the early twenties-40’s. ‣A man who is drunk and cannot see any person, would see no one but guardsmen, and so had to walk away from that position at the end. That’s why you must draw blood by a man who could easily have seen nobody besides guardsmen.․(3.2; 64-65) If blood is drawn from a man who has not had an accident in his life, then it must be a miracle. Or a mortal could come and rescue the man and pull out of him, and so take him out of himself. It has to be a miracle.