Macbeth Mental Imagery
In the seventh edition glossary of literary terms from Ohio University written by M.H. Abrams, the term ‘imagery’ is claimed as ‘mental pictures’. Cecil Day-Lewis agrees with this statement in his book, Poetic Image, that an image, “is a picture made out of words” (Lewis 17-18). In William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, there are many demonstrations of imagery used that gives readers a mental picture of what is going on in the play. Imagery gives literature life and emotion; it makes the reader feel as if he/she is actually watching the play live right in front of their eyes. Throughout the play Macbeth, imagery such as clothing, blood/murder and lightness and darkness are emphasized. Throughout William Shakespeare’s play, the imagery used reveals
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This gives him a new identity. Before he was just a brave warrior going to battle, but now since Macbeth has done something heroic, it is almost like he has put on some brand new clothes. People begin treating him differently. Even when he meets the witches, they treat him with so much honour and respect: “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” (1. 3. 52). Then imagery begins to play a big role in this part of the novel because the witches tell him he will be the king one day. Then, Macbeth really takes this into consideration and makes a plan with his wife Lady Macbeth. When Duncan is asleep, Lady Macbeth will offer wine to his guards, which she will drug. The guards will drink the drugged wine and fall asleep as if they are dead. Then, with Duncan unguarded, Macbeth will be able to kill him and become the new King of Scotland. Darice Swisher claims, “In Macbeth’s case they are actually stolen garments. Macbeth is uncomfortable in them because he is continually conscious of the fact that they do not belong to him” (Swisher, 156). Swisher explains that he did not earn to be the King, he pretty much stole the garments and he feels very guilty for killing King Duncan. The Thane of Cawdor was not enough, he wanted to put on the king's clothes, so he decided to go through with his plan and his evil side was brought out by his wife Lady
This gives him a new identity. Before he was just a brave warrior going to battle, but now since Macbeth has done something heroic, it is almost like he has put on some brand new clothes. People begin treating him differently. Even when he meets the witches, they treat him with so much honour and respect: “All hail Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor” (1. 3. 52). Then imagery begins to play a big role in this part of the novel because the witches tell him he will be the king one day. Then, Macbeth really takes this into consideration and makes a plan with his wife Lady Macbeth. When Duncan is asleep, Lady Macbeth will offer wine to his guards, which she will drug. The guards will drink the drugged wine and fall asleep as if they are dead. Then, with Duncan unguarded, Macbeth will be able to kill him and become the new King of Scotland. Darice Swisher claims, “In Macbeth’s case they are actually stolen garments. Macbeth is uncomfortable in them because he is continually conscious of the fact that they do not belong to him” (Swisher, 156). Swisher explains that he did not earn to be the King, he pretty much stole the garments and he feels very guilty for killing King Duncan. The Thane of Cawdor was not enough, he wanted to put on the king's clothes, so he decided to go through with his plan and his evil side was brought out by his wife Lady