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Macbethl Imagery

MacbethL Imagery


One of the most important tools in literature is imagery. It is not
just in there to fill up paper; rather, there is at least one dramatic purpose
for each image and there are many different types of imagery. This essay seeks
to prove that in the play Macbeth the author William Shakespeare uses darkness
imagery for three dramatic purposes. Those three purposes are, to create
atmosphere, to arouse the emotions of the audience and to contribute to the
major theme of the play.
The darkness imagery in Macbeth contributes to its ominous atmosphere. In
the very beginning of the play the three witches are talking and the first witch
says "When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?"
(Macbeth 1. 1. line 1). This is a good example of darkness imagery because when
you think of the crashing thunder, lightning and rain, they all remind you of
evil and ominous things. Later on the Sergeant is talking with Duncan and
Malcolm when he states "Ship wrecking storms and direful thunders break" (1. 2.
l26). Again this darkness imagery contributes to the ominous atmosphere of the
play, having reference to thunder and dark storms. Finally, Lady Macbeth and
Macbeth are talking in the scene just before the murder of Banquo and Macbeth
says "Light thickens, and the crow makes wing to the rooky wood: Good things of
day begin to droop and drowse, whiles night's black agents to their preys do
rouse" (3. 2. l50-53). This example of darkness imagery is saying that the day
is turning into night, all the good things are going to sleep, and the evil
creatures are coming out . The evil in this previous quotation and the two
before adds to the ominous atmosphere. Since the imagery creates an ominous
atmosphere it would then lead to the second dramatic purpose, to arouse the
emotions of the audience. Darkness imagery is a very good tool for arousing
the emotions of the audience. It enables people to create a mental picture of
the what they...