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 honors come upon him, / Like our strange garments, cleave not to the / mould" (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 that do not fit. Hence, his ambition. This ambition, as we see, is what leads to his de

When Macbeth next sees blood, however, it is upon the dagger that he hallucinates of, while he is considering killing King Duncan. Through the blood, Macbeth convinces himself to commit the crime, and proceeds to murder the King. However, immediately after he has commits this heinous crime, we see, through blood, that a great change has occurred in him, when he commits his next murders, "O yet I do repent me of my fury, / That I did kill them." ( II, III, 107-108 ). Macbeth slays the guards, whom he framed for Duncan's murder, and he has does it without hesitation. This shows us that Macbeth has now lost control over himself, and that Lady Macbeth has lost control over him as well. Macbeth next draws blood, when he murders Banquo. Whether or not Macbeth was present at the murder is debatable, however, Banquo does return to haunt Macbeth as a ghost. Banquo's ghost is described as having "gory locks" ( III, IV, 51), and "twenty mortal murders" ( III, IV, 81) on his face. 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 ). We see that he is now becoming desperate, as he returns to the witches for further advice. Macbeth decides to kill Macduff, and his family, which again, shows his desperate nature "give to the edge of the sword / His wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls / That trace him in his line" ( IV, I, 151-153). Macbeth's kingship is now in jeopardy, as, he has lost the support of most of his country "Now, minutely revolts upbraid his faith breach" ( V, II, 18 ). He is trying to comfort himself by recalling the witches?prophecies as he is told of the approaching armies, "Let them fly all : / Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane / I cannot taint with fear. What's that boy Malcolm? / Was he not born of woman?" ( V, III, 1-4). 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). 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). The constant mood changes in Macbeth show us of his fragile state, and how he has lost control over himself. Macbeth's character development is completed only with his own death, at the hands of Macduff, of whom Macbeth has shed the most blood around. By using blood imagery, Shakespeare develops Macbeth's character.

In Macbeth, imagery plays a crucial role in developing the character of Macbeth. We see this through th

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1819
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)