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Imagery and Symbolism in MacBeth - Coggle Diagram
Imagery and Symbolism in MacBeth
Imagery of light and darkness
Following the murder of Duncan, darkness enshrouds the earth, Ross points it out to the old man 'darkness does the living the living face of earth entomb when living light should kiss it' --> this suggests that evil is dominant
MacBeth calls on the darkness to hide his 'deep and dark desires'
the witches are 'instruments and darkness' and 'secret, black and midnight hags'
before Macbeth orders Banquo's murder, he calls on darkness to: 'Scarf up the tender eye of pityful day'
the opposition between good and evil is brought into clear focus by contrasts between light and darkness
As Malcolm prepares to overthrow MacBeth and bring an end to his long night of tyranny 'Recieve what cheer you may: the night is long that never finds the day'
Imagery of disease and corruption
MacBeth's corruption and fall to evil is suggested by images of sickness and disease, his rule is described as 'distempered' (diseased)
The doctor called to inspect Lady MacBeth's illness says 'This disease is beyond my practice' and goes on to speak of 'infected minds'
health and disease are symbolically related to good and evil
MacBeth wishes the doctor can cure Scotland's disease: 'If thou couldst doctor, cast the water on my land, find her disease, and purge it to a sound and pristine health' --> MacBeth is Scotlands disease
Malcolm is seen as the cure to the disease and Scottish nobles who come to aid him say: 'Meet we the medicine of the sickly weal'
Imagery of Blood
MacBeth is a violent play and blood permeates the play, and blood becomes the dominant image
At the start of the play, MacBeth's sword is 'smoked with blood execution' as he fought in the battle
Blood is also associated with guilt, Macbeth and Lady MacBeth are shown expressing this when blood is present
Following Duncan's murder, MacBeth expresses guilt as he imagine the blood on his hand turning the green seas red: 'Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incardine...'
MacBeth imagines the ghost of Banquo shaking his 'gory locks'
Images of False Appearance
Donalbain reflects on the falseness behind Duncan's murder: 'There's daggers in men's smiles'
During the banquet scene MacBeth inadvertently reveals his true intentions and dispenses entirely with the mask of nobleness when he decides to avenge himself on MacDuff: 'From this moment the very firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand'
MacBeth reflects too 'False face must hide what false heart doth know'
when Macbeth discusses Banquo's murder with assassins, he underlines the need for secrecy: 'Masking the business from the common eye for sundry weighty reasons'
MacBeth and Lady MacBeth commit themselves to evil, they hide their true intentions, Lady MacBeths tell MacBeth 'look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under't '
falsness and deception are inextricably bound up with evil