Imagery: The Work of The Imagination

Imagery: The Work of the Imagination

A picture may tell a thousand words, but an image is the product of imagination. In any piece of literature, imagery plays a significant role in illustrating the characters. In the play, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are developed through the use of clothing, sleep, and blood imagery.

Through the use of clothing imagery, Shakespeare exposes and develops the character of Macbeth. In the beginning, Macbeth is seen as loyal soldier of King Duncan. When presented with the title of Thane of Cawdor, he says “Why do you dress me/ In borrowed robes” (I.iii.115). This changes, however after the witches’ prophecies awaken his ambition to be king. “Throughout the entire play, Macbeth is constantly wearing new clothes (titles), that are not his, and that do not fit. Hence, his ambition. This ambition, as we see, is what leads to his demise”(Planet Papers. Pars 2). This is proven through Banquo’s words, “New honours come upon him/ Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold/ But with the aid of use”(I.iv.160). After the witches’ prophecies tell Macbeth that he will be king, Macbeth is overcome with ambition, and he kills Duncan so he can take over and be king. Apparently, Macbeth is trying to fit into clothes/titles that do not belong to him, because he does not deserve them. He is not fit to be king. “ Now does he feel his title/ Hang loose about him/ Like a giant’s robe/ Upon a dwarfish thief” (V.ii.23-25). Although, Macbeth changes ranks from a thane to a king, the complete opposite happens in his character.

In addition, sleep imagery is used to develop Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s character. Firstly, Macbeth is guilty of killing Duncan in his sleep. “Methought I heard a voice cry ‘Sleep no more!/Macbeth does murder sleep’”(II.ii.50). Evidently, Macbeth’s guilt is eating him up, and robbing him of sleep. “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore/Cawdor/Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more”(II.ii.55). Because Macbeth and Lady Macbeth killed Duncan in his sleep, they are now in return unable to enjoy peaceful sleep. Furthermore, through sleep imagery, we see Lady Macbeth (the master at hiding her thoughts), being haunted by the horrible crimes she and Macbeth have committed. Sleep imagery is demonstrated through Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking, and exposure of crimes they have committed. “Yet who would have though the old man/ To have had so much blood in him?”(V.i.40). Lady Macbeth has let the secret out.

Moreover, Shakespeare has used blood imagery to completely develop Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s characters. Blood imagery reveals Macbeth’s character change from a noble man, to a dishonorable man and a traitor, whereas Lady Macbeth changes from an evil woman to one who takes her life due to a guilty conscience. First, we see Macbeth as loyal soldier of the king who is willing to give