The document discusses how Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth to create atmosphere and establish themes. It analyzes various types of imagery used, including: violence and horror; darkness and light; disease; sleep; nature; clothing and masks; and religious imagery associated with good versus evil. Through these techniques, Shakespeare establishes a sense of chaos, disorder, and moral corruption resulting from Macbeth's rise to power.

1. IMAGERY
“The use of imagery in
Macbeth Macbeth is one of the finest
examples of atmosphere ever
created in drama.”
-Blanche Coles, Author of
Shakespeare‟s Four Giants
By William
Shakespeare

2. • Creates an atmosphere of horror and
violence.
• Bleeding sergeant recounts tale of battle.
• Described in gory detail.
• Macbeth - brutal, but heroic.
• Bloody images establish the violence that
is to dominate the play.

3. • Efforts to wash hands after murder.
• Banquo‟s ghost.
• Wading through a river of blood.

4. • Carries burden of all Macbeth‟s crimes.
• Sleepwalking.
• Compulsive washing of hands.
• Attempts to escape stench of blood.

5. • Conversation between Malcolm and
Macduff.
• Communicates the breakdown of
order in Scotland.

6. • Represents the evil, corrupt rule of Macbeth.
• Introduced at a late stage, but is used
extensively in the play.
• Macbeth is seen as Scotland‟s disease, which
can only be cured by the coronation of the
rightful king.

7. • Scotland is blighted by disease and
infertility.
• Macbeth’s rule is described as
‘distempered’.
• Macbeth asks the doctor to cure
Scotland’s disease, but ironically, he is
this disease.
• Malcolm and the forces of good are
seen as the antidote to the disease

8. • Lady Macbeth is described as
having an ‘infected mind’ and
talking to her pillow.
• Her sleepwalking and compulsive
actions suggest an illness, rooted
in remorse.

9. Moral Lack of light
Murders of
darkness - Darkness when
Duncan and
Scenes set acts as a foil Duncan was
Banquo
at night murdered
Focus on
characters
Sleep Dark & during the
day
walking
Light
Images of
Lady Fears the Suffers from light
Macbeth dark – Light a guilty highlight
craves light is sanctuary? conscience good
characters

10. “ „tis day,/ and
yet dark night Imagines Provide
strangles the light being cover for his
blotted out evil desires
travelling
lamp” “ stars,
hide your
Starless Sky Dark & fires! Let
Light not light
see my
black and
“ their
deep
candles
Sun fails to desires”
are out” rise
Evil has over No hope or
ruled light

11. • The motif of sleep ties together the
relationship between conscience, action and
consequence.
• The punishment for cruel deeds is the
inability to sleep.
• Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Banquo have
issues with sleeplessness.

12. • The witches foreshadow Macbeth‟s
lack of sleep as they spitefully plot
against a sailor.
• Banquo is tempted by the witches‟
prophesies as he sleeps, and tries to
avoid „repose‟.

13. • Macbeth describes peaceful sleep as
something that „knits up the ravell‟d sleave of
care‟.
• He has nightmares before killing Duncan.
• After the murder, he „sleeps no more‟.
• Lady Macbeth puts his strange behaviour at
the banquet down to a lack of sleep.

14. • Her sleepwalking scene illustrates
the remorse that she feels.
• She doesn‟t rest while sleeping -
instead she relives the horror of
Duncan‟s murder.

15. • Duncan is seen as a „most sainted King‟. His
murder is a sacrilegious act, that upsets natural
order.
• King Edward is described as „holy‟ and „most
pious‟. He is said to have healing powers,
bestowed on him by God.
• God is believed to be on the side of Macbeth‟s
enemies.

16. • The witches are seen as speakers for the
Devil - „the instruments of darkness‟.
• As Macbeth declines morally, he
becomes increasingly associated with
images of Hell - „this fiend of Scotland‟,
„devilish Macbeth‟, „hell-hound‟.

17. Growth and
Nature
Associated with
Duncan virtue and Edward
goodness
Malcolm &
Donalbain

18. Nature Imagery
Duncan
“Deep
rooted”
gentleness Generous and
and softness fair side to his
personality
First form of
kingship
I have begun to
plant thee, and
Genuine and will labour thee
sentimental
to make thee
full of growing.

19. Appropriateness
of Kingship
Clothing and
Masks
Source of Connected to
power disloyalty
Illustrate deception

20. “ make
our faces
Clothing and “ false
vizards
Masks face
to our
hearts,/ must hide
Disguising Survival Instinct
what the
what false
they heart
are.” doth
Appear Maintain
Innocent loyalty know”
Villainous
thoughts disguised

21. Clothing and
Masks
Inappropriateness “ lest our
of his role
Suitability of
old robes
as King
Macbeth as king sit easier
than our
“ why do new!”
Express his
surprise
you dress
me/ In
borrowed Compare poorly
with Duncan‟s
robes?”

22. Brónagh Galvin
Sorcha Lavelle Walsh
Katherine Murphy