macbeth5
Imagery plays a predominant role in Shakespeare's play Macbeth. This stylistic device appears in several different forms throughout the play. Imagery of animals, nature, and darkness help create a foreboding atmosphere. In particular, the imagery of disease acts as a metaphor for evil and corruption. The idea of corruption spreading in Macbeth like a disease first appears in Act 1, scene 3, in one of Macbeth's first soliloquies. He states that the thought of murdering Duncan is weighing on his find so greatly that he is unable to function normally. Soon after, Lady Macbeth, in a soliloquy of her own, points out that Macbeth's only "illness" (at that point) is his ambition. Despite the fact that he covets the throne dearly, he does not want to usurp Duncan. Unfortunately, as the disease of Macbeth's mind spreads, it takes on the new form of evil. For example, by Act 2, scene 1, his "heat oppressed mind" sees apparitions of the dagger he will use to murder Duncan. Soon after Duncan is slain, Lennox, unaware of this dreadful deed, describe
s how the earth was "feverous." Not only does this comment show that the natural order reflects the moral order, it is also the starting point of Scotland's downfall under the rule of Macbeth as king. The Scottish nobles continue the imagery of disease to stress that their opposition to Macbeth's "distempered cause" is justified. In Act 5, scene 2, Malcolm has been identified as the medicine for the sick country. Moreover, his men are ready to shed their blood as "purge" for Scotland's affliction. Back in Macbeth's camp, the tyrant asks a doctor to cure both the ailing Lady Macbeth and Scotland and to find out the cause of their troubles. Ironically, Macbeth is unaware that, in fact, he himself is the root of both of these predicaments. As the play progresses, the imagery of the diseased Macbeth becomes more evident. In the beginning of Act 4, scene 3, Malcolm and Macduff, lament the fact that Scotland is as ill as its ruler, Macbeth, who has now earned himself the terrible title of "tyrant." Malcolm even goes so far to vividly describes how his country, personified as
Some common words found in the essay are:
Lady Macbeth, Macbeth Imagery, Soon Duncan, Malcolm Macduff, Secondly Macbeth, Ironically Macbeth, Duncan Unfortunately, Firstly Macbeth's, lady macbeth, Macbeth Scotland, imagery disease, metaphor evil, evil corruption, scene 3, banquo's ghost, macbeth unaware, imagery macbeth, metaphor evil corruption,
Approximate Word count = 733
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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