Imagery in Macbeth

A detailed Summary of Imagery in Macbeth

In his plays, Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery. Many forms of his imagery are used in his play 'Macbeth,' including the forms of clothing and darkness. Each detail in his imagery, it seems to me, contains an important symbol of the play, and symbols that we must understand if we are to understand either the passage it is in, or the play as a whole.

In 'Macbeth' I think that the imagery of clothing is used to suggest that throughout the play, Macbeth is seeking to hide his "disgraceful self" from his eyes and from others. I think that Shakespeare wants to keep alive the ironical contrast between the wretched creature that Macbeth really is and the disguises he assumes to conceal the fact. Secondly, I think that in the play honours are thought of as garments to be worn; likewise, Macbeth is const

antly represented symbolically as the wearer of robes not belonging to him. He is wearing an "undeserved dignity." A crucial point in describing the purpose of clothing in 'Macbeth' is the fact that these are not his garments. 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 recurs that Macbeth's new honours sit ill upon him, like a loose and badly fitting garment, belonging to someone else:

Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould,

In 'Macbeth' I think the darkness symbolizes many things. First, and most importantly, it stands for the evil and death in the play. The darkness could partially blind out all of the horrible things that occur in the night. For, only in darkness can such evi

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 555
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Imagery in Macbeth

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