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Macbeth Imagery of Act One

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Macbeth Imagery of Act One
Macbeth Imagery of Act One

Shakespeare's use of imagery in act one makes the play a lot more understandable in my eyes. The open act gives a strong graphic imagery of the witches. Shakespeare’s skillful imagery helps to show the theme of the poem. He uses darkness imagery for dramatic purposes. The purposes are to create atmosphere and express the emotions used in the play.

In act one, scene one Shakespeare creates this scene extremely visually dramatic. The opening scene is important The three witches are talking and the first witch says “When shall we three meet again? In thunder lightning, or in rain?” This is a good example of darkness imagery because when you think of crashing thunder, lightning and rain, they all remind you of evil and threatening things. The thunder and lightning represent disturbances in nature. The witches creed is echoed throughout the play. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair, hover through the fog and filthy air.” The fog is symbolizing the moral confusion in the play. The term ‘hover’ meaning flying, would impact the audience on the witches’ abilities.

Act one, scene two, opens with trumpet blast to retain audiences interest. The bleeding captain is a striking visual image of violent conflict, a recurring theme of the play. Images of blood, both verbal and visual, occur often in Macbeth.Captain says “But all’s too weak; For brave Macbeth - well he deserves that name” - Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution. The image here is of Macbeth wielding a sword steaming with the blood of his enemies.

Act one, scene three opens with the second witch starting that she has been “Killing Swine”, the image here is bloody and treachery. Animal imagery is also used here, when said “like a rat without a tail.” It shows malicious intentions. The witches creed is repeated, this imagery will be used many times in the play. Clothing imagery is used when Macbeth talks about ‘borrowed robes’. The image

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