Clothing and Darkness in Shakespeares Macbeth :: GCSE English Literature Coursework

utilise of Imagery in Macbeth In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery, including the forms of array and lousiness. Each incident in his imagery contains an important symbol of the play. These symbols that must be unsounded if one is to understand either the passage which contains it or the play as a whole. In Macbeth, the image of clothing is used to suggest that throughout the play, Macbeth is seeking to hide his disgraceful self from his eyes and from others. Shakespeare wants to keep existing the ironical contrast between the wretched creature that Macbeth really is and the disguises he assumes to conceal that fact. Secondly, honors are thought of as garments to be worn likewise, Macbeth is always 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 found in the fact that these are not his garments. Therefore, Macbeth is uneasy in t hem because he is continually conscious of the fact that they do not belong to him. In the following passage, the idea constantly recurs that Macbeths new honor sit ill upon him, like a loose and badly fitting garment, belonging to someone else New honours come upon him, Like our antic garments, cleave not to their mould, But with the aid of use. (1.3.144) The second, most important drawing string of imagery used to add to the atmosphere is that of darkness. In a Shakespearian tragedy, a special tone, or atmosphere, must be created to show the darkness and blackness of it. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the design of the witches, the guilt in Macbeths soul, and the darkness of the wickedness to establish the atmosphere. The most remarkable scenes take place at shadow or in some dark spot. For instance, the vision of the dagger, the mar of Duncan, the murder of Banquo, and Lady Macbeths sleep-walking all occur at night. Darkness is when the traveler hastens to elapse safety in his inn, when Banquo rides homeward to meet his assassins. Furthermore, it is the time when the wolf h motor horns, the owl screams and murder steals forth to his work. The darkness symbolizes many things. First, and most importantly, it stands for the death and perversive in the play. The darkness could partially block out all of the atrocious things that occur in the night.