The role of imagery in Macbeth
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,Shakespeare shows the development of Macbeth's character. Using clothing imagery, Shakespeare develops Macbeth's character. This is evident, as, imagery of clothing shows us Macbeth's ambition and the consequences thereof. We see this ambition, through Banquo, when he says, "New honours come upon him, / Like our strange garments, cleave not to their / mould but with the aid of use." (Shakespeare, Macbeth I, III, 144-146), meaning that new clothes do not fit our bodies, until we are accustomed to them. Throughout the entire play, Macbeth is constantly wearing new clothes (titles), that are not his, and do not fit. Hence, his ambition.
As the prophecies come to deceive Macbeth, he accepts his defeat, and decides to die fighting "At least we'll die with harness on our back" (V, VI, 52). Through Shakespeare's abundant use of blood imagery, Macbeth's character is developed. The return of Banquo as a ghost represents Macbeth's downfall. He is now convinced that he has no choice but to continue his career of murder and deceit "I am in blood / Stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more, /Returning were as tedious as go o'er" (III, IV, 136-138). This is evident as, he is undecided as to whether or not to kill King Duncan, and he needs to hallucinate that a dagger is leading him towards Duncan in order to commit the crime. First, how Macbeth shed blood honorably, in war, defending Scotland: For brave Macbeth with his brandish'd steel like a valour's minioin carv'd out his passage / till hefaced the slave. Blood, the most dominant symbol in the play, shows us the changes in Macbeth's character, from the start of the play to the end. The constant mood changes in Macbeth show us of his fragile state, and how he has lost control over himself. Without imagery, this masterpiece may not have been considered so, for we ha!ve seen, what a momentous effect it has on the play, as a whole. When Macbeth first hears the prophecy that he will be King, he does not see how it can be so, "to be king / Stands not within the prospect of belief" (I, III, 73-74). During this same night, after Duncan's murder, we also see how Macbeth changes into a cold-blooded killer. (I, II, 16-23) When Macbeth next sees blood, however, it is upon the dagger that he hallucinates of, while he is considering killing King Duncan. We see this in Act II Scene I, which is opened by the immediate announcement that it is past midnight, "I take't, 'tis later [than midnight], sir" (II, I, 3). During the battle, he again, reminds himself of the prophecies, "What's he / That was not born of woman? Such a one / Am I to fear, or none" (V, VII, 2-4). Through the three witches, of whom symbolize evil and darkness, we also see Macbeth's character develop.
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