Animal Imagery in Macbeth

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In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses animal imagery to develop the theme of reversal of moral disorder. Macbeth's murder of the king causes moral disorder to himself, and natural disorder amongst the land. This disorder is not reversed until the catastrophe of the play, when Macbeth is beheaded in the final confrontation with Macduff. Shakespeare's application of animal imagery characterizes Macbeth to show his moral disorder, aids to the symbolism which helps in presenting the chaotic aspects of the play, and presents other important themes that work alongside the theme of moral disorder.

The use of animal imagery is often used to characterize Macbeth, which in turn brings out the theme of moral disorder. Shakespeare uses animal imagery to show the audience Macbeth's valiance at the start of the play. In the exposition of the play Shakespeare uses the comparison of a lion and an eagle to describe Macbeth. But, as the play progresses Macbeth is compared to an owl and eventually is called a hell-hound. The comparison is effective in introducing Macbeth as a heroic character in order to present his downfall through immorality.

This downfall of Macbeth and his corruption by evil is