Macbeth as a Tragic Hero
Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery in his plays. Imagery, the art of making images, the products of imagination. In the play Macbeth Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness and blood. Each detail in his imagery contains an important symbol of the play. These symbols need to be understood in order to interpret the entire play.Within the play 'Macbeth' the imagery of clothing portrays that Macbeth is seeking to hide his "disgraceful self" from his eyes and others. . Shakespeare wants to keep alive the contrast between the pitiful creature that Macbeth really is and the disguises he assumes to conceal the fact. Macbeth is constantly represented symbolically as the wearer of robes not belonging to him. He is wearing an undeserved dignity, which is a point well made by the uses of clothing imagery. The description of the purpose of clothing in Macbeth is the fact that these garments are not his. Therefore, Macbeth is uncomfortable in them because he is continually conscious of the fact that they do not belong to him. In the following passage, the idea constantly reappears, Macbeth's new honors sit ill upon him, like loose and badly fitti
Shakespeare uses blood imagery extensively in Macbeth. Blood can represent life, death and often injury. Shakespeare uses blood to represent treason, guilt, murder and death. Lady Macbeth shows the most vivid example of guilt with the use of the imagery of blood, in the scene that she walks in her sleep. She says: It is ironic that this is said, when right after the murder, when Macbeth was feeling guilty. She says: "A little water clears us of the deed." (II, ii, 67) It becomes very evident that she is having troubles with her guilt. Also through the blood Macbeth convinces himself to commit the crimes and continue to murder and deceit. This is demonstrated when the return of Banquo as a ghost feels that there is no choice of retracting from evil and so Macbeth says: "I am in blood stepp'd in so far, that, should I wade no more/ Returning were as tedious go o'er." (III, iv, 136-138) The blood sheds have have influenced Macbeth into thinking that there is no turning back and he must continue to murder and deceit. A soldier, and afeard? What need we fear who
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Approximate Word count = 788
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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