There are many forms of imagery in the world today. They usually take on two main forms,
those being visual and mental. This once again goes back to the idea
of mental imagery and the different ways people interpret things. In William Shakespeares Macbeth.
Imagery is connected to both character development as well as theme and are patterned throughout
From the beginning of the play we are introduced to image of darkness. It was called upon by
Banquo, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. In his aside to Macbeth
And oftentimes, to win us to our harm,
The instruments of darkness tell us truths,
Win us with honest trifles, to betray us
In deepest consequence" (I, II, 131-135)
Banquo shows that he is immediately aware that the witches are associated with darkness.
He chooses not to act on the witches prophecies, but rather to be wary and reluctant. He is not ready
to involve himself with the witches, as he sees them as a dark force. However Macbeth is on
opportunist and the image of darkness reveals his deepest, darkest desires. This is shown in
"The Prince of Cumberland! that is a step
On which I must fall down or else o'ver-leap,
For in my way it lies. Stars, hide your fires;
Let not light see my black and deep desires" (I, IV, 55-58)
It becomes apparent that, it bothered Macbeth a great deal to hear that Malcolm was named
successor to King Duncan, he then calls on darkness to hide his evil thoughts. Lady Macbeth does the
same, she conjures up the forces of darkness, to make sure the heavens don't see her having these
And pall thee in the dunnest smoke of hell,
That my keen knife see not the wound it makes,
N'or heaven peep through the blanket of the dark,
To cry, "Hold, hold!" (I, V, 53-57)
By the end of Act I, we can se
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