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Symbolism and Imagery in MacBeth - Coggle Diagram
Symbolism and Imagery in MacBeth
Blood Imagery
Before the murder of MacDuff's murder, MacBeth pictures himself half-way across a river of blood, concluding that he might as well wade to the other side: ' I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious to go o'er '
MacBeth is reluctant to fight MacDuff: 'My soul is too much charged with blood of thine already'
Lady MacBeth expresses guilt too over Duncan's murder when she sleep walks: 'Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?'
Lady MacBeth also repeatedly attempts to wash he hands clean of the crime she committed 'the damned spot' --> blood stain on her hands
Lady MacBeth's sense of guilt is also shown: 'All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand'
Images of Evil
MacBeth's reign is associated with the powers of darkness
the witches are a symbol of evil, Banquo describes them as 'instruments of evil
As we witness MacBeths decline morally, images of him are associated with hell
Lennox describes Scotland ruled by MacBeth as 'our suffering country under a hand accused'
MacDuff describes MacBeth as 'this fiend of Scotland' and Malcolm speaks of MacBeth as 'devilish MacBeth'
Malcolm describes Lady MacBeth as MacBeth's 'fiend-like queen'
Images of Good
King Duncan and King Edward are also associated with images of grace and virtue
Duncan is described as 'gracious' and as 'a most sainted king'
Edward is described as 'holy' and 'most pious'
Malcolm sees the army that marches against MacBeth as doing God's work: 'MacBeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments.'
MacBeth is initially described with images of bravery and nobleness