6/7/2023 0 Comments Macbeth symbolsYet some of these superstitions are hidden in the feathers of more aloft creatures, creatures found frequently in the pages of Shakespeare’s play, yet often remaining unnoticed in the greater scope of the tale. Most of the story revolves around the supernatural and forces untouchable. Macbeth is a tale of witches, murder mysteries, secrecy, and superstition. This assignment gave me a deeper appreciation of this great play, and I hope it will do the same for you. You could go into his class hating English and literature and come out with at least an enjoyment of it. As a side note, the Professor for this class was one of the best I had. She is the “mastermind” behind Duncan’s death, and does not actually seem like a typical woman (according to Shakespearian times) at all.This is a paper I wrote in college for a class on the works of Shakespeare. This imagery makes the audience feel the contrast of her physical and inner appearance. Therefore, as Lady Macbeth appears, the use of this motherly imagery also appears. She is one of the only women in the play, and yet, she has great desires to be a man. I think this imagery is related almost solely to Lady Macbeth. Lady Macbeth says, “Come to my woman’s breasts and take my milk for gall.” which shows her desire to “unsex” herself and become a man. Yet, a lot of these characters’ actions contrast to their physical appearances. The repetition of “milk” and “breasts” are to enhance the feeling of female characteristics. This may be seen through the former Thane of Cawdor’s difference on the outside and the inside, and through Macbeth’s inner “desires” and his outwardly kindness.Īnother important use of imagery in Macbeth is the use of mother figures. On the outside, what may seem a blessing may actually be an “illness” within. What I believe Shakespeare is trying to do is to augment the uncertainty of human nature. Nature can be both the literal nature around us, or the figurative human nature. Even nature imagery in general are used, like “the seeds of time”, or how Banquo says to King Duncan, “There if I grow, the harvest is your own.” There is a lot of repetition of “growing” and “seeds” which can mean, in the figurative sense, the character development of certain characters of the play. Different animals are used to characterize different people, and that is why, in Act One, there is an increasing amount of animal imagery because of the increasing appearance of new characters in the play. Later on, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to “look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under ‘t.” Serpents are historically and religiously seen as evil, cunning creatures that are up to no good (starting from the story of Eve in the Garden of Eden Eve was tricked by a serpent). For example, the captain reports that Macbeth and Banquo are “as sparrows eagles, or the hare the lion”, which shows their bravery in the battlefield. The comparisons of predatory animals with the strong, and the preys with the weak, are shown. These animals are used for comparisons with different people. Different animals are used in different parts of the play, including the use of lions, birds, hares, serpents, cats etc. The use of animal or nature imagery is also evident in the play. It will create a more ominous and mysterious atmosphere for the audience (or reader). It decreases as the witches appear less, and so I believe the imagery of weather is to enhance the feeling of supernatural forces, or fate, in the play. Also there is the repetition of “foul and fair” in scene one, when the witches say, “Fair is foul, and foul is fair/ Hover through the fog and filthy air.” and also when Macbeth says in his opening sentence, “So foul and fair a day I have not seen.” The imagery of weather is seen more in the opening scenes when the witches appear. Whenever the witches appear, there is always “Thunder and lightning” in the background. Weather is seen as a supernatural force a force in which only witches or similar beings can take control of. There is use of weather throughout the text, especially when the witches appear in the scene. In Act One of Macbeth, there are many recurring symbols and imagery to notice.
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