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

Use of Imagery in Macbeth In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery, including the forms of habilitate and darkness. Each detail in his imagery contains an central symbol of the play. These symbols that must be understood 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 alive the ironical contrast between the wretched cock 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 constantly represented symbolically as the wearer of robes non 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 self-conscious in the m 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 honours mount ill upon him, like a loose and badly fitting garment, belonging to someone else New honours come upon him, Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould, But with the aid of use. (1.3.144) The second, most important chain of imagery used to add to the atmosphere is that of darkness. In a Shakespearean 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 night to establish the atmosphere. The most remarkable scenes wad place at night or in some dark spot. For instance, the vision of the dagger, the murder of Duncan, the murder of Banquo, and Lady Macbeths sleep-walking all occur at night. night is when the traveler hastens to reach safety in his inn, when Banquo rides homeward to meet his assassins. Furthermore, it is the time when the wolf howls, the owl screams and murder steals forth to his work. The darkness symbolizes many things. First, and most importantly, it stands for the finish and evil in the play. The darkness could partially block out all of the horrible things that occur in the night.