Macbeth - Imagery of appearance and reality.

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Imagery in Macbeth

Imagery Of Appearance and Reality

The theme of Appearance and Reality has been discussed already, e.g. we have mentioned that the play is at least partly based on the ides of deception. Examples of imagery here include Lady Macbeth's advice to Macbeth, "look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under't" (Act I,Sc.v) and Macbeth's words, "False face must hide what the false heart doth know." In Act III,Sc.ii, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that they are, "Unsafe the while that we Must have our honours in these flattering streams, And make our faces wizards to our hearts, Disguising what they are." In Act I,Sc.iii, when he has been told that he is now Thane of Cawdor, he comments, "nothing is but what is not." After the murder of Duncan, Malcolm whispers to Donalbain, "To show as unfelt sorrow is an office Which the false man does easy." (Act II,Sc.iii) In the following scene Ross tells the Old Man of the strange upset in Nature, "...by the clock 'tis day And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp (i.e. the sun)." In the Ghost scene (Act III,Sc.iv) Lady Macbeth points out to Macbeth that this Ghost (which she cannot see) is the "very painting of your fear" and "O, these flaws and starts" are just "Impostors of true fear." In Act IV,Sc.iii Malcolm observes to MacDuff, "Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell." He is pointing out that, although people may appear to be virtuous, they may in reality be vicious.

Shadow Imagery

When he hears of the death of Lady Macbeth, (Act V,Sc.vi), Macbeth uses the image of the shadow to describe life. A shadow is an imitation of reality and he possibly means that he has been cheated by a life that promised so much. These are just a few examples of this imagery which is often associated with dramatic irony. In fact this type of imagery is in itself ironical.

Imagery of Manliness

This is closely linked with the Theme of Manliness. We have already commented on the early descriptions of Macbeth in Act I,Sc.ii as ' brave' and ' valour's minion (favourite).' In Act I,Sc.vii, Lady Macbeth, in an effort to persuade him to murder Duncan, urges him, "Screw your courage to the sticking place" thereby implying that he is lacking in courage. After the murder she accuses him of having a white heart. When trying to persuade the Murderer's to kill Banquo, Macbeth uses the imagery of manliness to win them over (Act III,Sc.i).
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Imagery of Light and Darkness

This imagery is clearly related to the conflict between Good and Evil. It is associated with symbolism because in the play light represents Good and darkness, Evil. The Witches, who also symbolise Evil, set their meeting for the "set of sun" (Act I,Sc.i). Later, in Act IV,Sc.i, Macbeth refers to them as "black and midnight hags". Banquo warns Macbeth against believing the words of the Witches, "The instruments of darkness" (Act I,Sc.iii) In nominating Malcolm as his successor (Act I,Sc.iv), Duncan equates nobleness with the stars and, almost immediately Macbeth, in an ...

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