Shakespeares Macbeth example essay topic

Imagery in Shakespeare Macbeth Authors use many literary techniques and devices to make their work more interesting. They use what is called word imagery. Word imagery is another word for a metaphor: a comparison not using like or as. In Shakespeares Macbeth, imagery is very often used. No where in Shakespeares genius for metaphor more apparent than in his use for clothing imagery. In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses a great example of clothing imagery when Ross tells Macbeth that he is the new Thane of Cawdor.

Macbeth does not believe him because the Thane of Cawdor was still alive and he does not know how this could come about: The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in Borrowed robes. (I, , 109-110) Macbeth is asking why do you put me in the robes of the Thane of Cawdor as if I were he, because Im not. So we see that a new title is like a new, or borrowed in this case, set of clothes.

Where another example of clothing imagery is used is when Banquo dismisses Macbeths unusual response to the message that Ross gave him of Duncans announcement, naming Macbeth Thane of Cawdor in gratitude of saving his kingdom: New honors came upon him, Like our strange garments, cleave not But with the aid of use, ... (I, , 144-146) In this statement, Banquo said that the reason he is acting weird is because, becoming Thane of Cawdor is like a new pair of clothes being worn for the first time; its not too comfortable the first few times worn. So Banquo is stating that Macbeth needs to get more comfortable with the idea of being a thane of another territory. Another excellent example of clothing imagery occurs when Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that hi will not go through with the murder of Duncan I have bought Golden opinions from all sorts of people Which would be worn now in their newest gloss.

(I, vii, 32) When he made the comment about golden opinions, he meant that many people in the country look up to him and has good opinions about him because he just saved their country. Macbeth said he wanted to bask in the glory of being famous and having all eyes on him, If he killed Duncan, all the attention would be drawn toward the death of the king. Another example of Shakespeares clothing imagery is when Lady Macbeth responded to her husbands last imagery statement. She is pretty upset that he is going back on his word: Was the hope drunk. Wherein you dressd yourself (I, vii, 35-36) What she meant is that, earlier, he said that he was going to kill Duncan so that he would become king. Now that hes having second thoughts, she asks if the motivation that flared within him was like a coat you could just take on and off.

Shakespeares use of clothing imagery used in the play Macbeth, shows the genius of his use with words. It helps us have a more realistic image of Macbeth and the rest of the characters. Shakespeare was, and is, a world famous writer, he is still famous, even though he has been dead for around 300 years.