Analyzing Classic Reads — Shakespeare’s Use of Imagery In Macbeth
Blood is an important symbol in Macbeth. To the characters, it represents their guilt for the crimes they have committed. However, as a symbol of kingship and prophecy, blood also has great power over events yet to come. In Act I, when discussing the witches’ prophecies with Banquo, Macbeth sees a dagger floating in the air before him and feels that he must follow its path. In this way, blood functions as both a symbol of innocence (Macduff’s children) and betrayal (Banquo).
The text explores the use of water for purification in two other instances. In Act II, Scene II, Macbeth wishes to wash his hands clean of the blood after Duncan’s murder — “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” — thereby cleansing himself of the guilt that accompanies the act. In Act V, Scene III, Malcolm instructs his lieutenant Seyward to “purge the air” by burning the bodies of King Edward and Prince Edmund; this will rid Scotland of their presence and cleanse any corruption left on English soil by their existence.
Within the text, darkness symbolizes evil, ignorance, and the unknown. As seen in the first act, thoughts of corruption and murder consume Macbeth. Scenes such as these are often shrouded in darkness or described as dark settings because they occur at night or within dark places. The evening of the scene coincides with evildoing; it creates a sinister and ominous mood that mirrors Macbeth’s feelings while entertaining these dark thoughts.
The use of darkness is expertly paired with widespread ignorance throughout the play by Shakespeare. For example, Macbeth commits his acts of violence without knowing how it will affect him later in life. He oversteps his bounds when he kills Duncan with no real plan of how to cover up the murder or prepare himself mentally for what has happened. In this manner, Shakespeare uses fear of the unknown to portray Macbeth’s emotions and show how he is stumbling blindly into a world where he doesn’t know what will happen next.
Shakespeare’s use of weather imagery in Macbeth symbolizes the characters’ mood; when there is an impending storm, a character is on edge, and when it’s sunny and bright, they are calm. The stormy weather represents chaos and unrest in Scotland. Thunder and lightning are signs that the gods are angry and displeased with someone or something. Wind symbolizes the witches’ power.
A pair of scissors, a hat, a handkerchief, and a book — the accessories that Macbeth uses to deceive his wife are symbols that convey wealth. For example, he uses the scissors to cut the lock from Lady Macbeth’s chamber door, indicating that he has power over her. He uses the handkerchief to cleanse his hands before killing Duncan and later proves his innocence in Lady Macbeth’s murder. He uses them again when he tricks his opponents into thinking he is guilty.
Shakespeare explores the strengths and weaknesses of human nature to produce striking imagery. In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses animal imagery to characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. For example, the text first describes Macbeth as a ravening bird who fills people with fear. Later he is described as a lion ready to pounce upon his prey. Lady Macbeth also represents an animal, compared to a falcon that tears its prey apart with her talons. The murderers are synonymous with dogs and cats that prowl in darkness, while Banquo is like a horse who will not submit to his rider’s command. As we will see later, these images represent their mental qualities and manner of action.
