Macbeth Essay, Research Paper

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 are reading. For instance, in this instance of darkness imagery Duncan and Macbeth

were talking when Macbeth says aside “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and

deep desires” (1. 4. l50-51). When words like dark and desire are put in that context it

creates many horrible mental pictures about murders and fights which arouses peoples emotions.

Ross is later talking with an old man when he states “By the clock `tis day, and yet dark

night strangles the traveling lamp” (2. 4. l6-7). In other words; although, the sun should be

out, something is blocking the light. This example of darkness imagery creates an eerie

feeling in the reader because it is very abnormal for the sun to be blocked. One might say

that God is punishing them or that there is the presence of a devil if the sun was gone and

would stir up the emotions of the reader although it was probably only an eclipse. Another

case of darkness imagery happens when Lady Macbeth and a messenger are talking and Lady Macbeth

states “That my keen knife see not the wound it makes, nor heaven peep through the blanket of

the dark to cry, “Hold, hold!”" (1. 5. l52-54). It creates an illustration of terror because

of the unknown. With night covering the earth like a blanket no one knows what might happen.

They might be the one behind the knife with know one there to see it or help.

As well as arousing the emotions of the audience darkness imagery works well in

characterizing. Darkness imagery also is very useful for a further dramatic purpose, to

characterize, and specifically to characterize Macbeth. Through the use of darkness imagery

Shakespeare was able to characterize Macbeth as perceived in this next quote where Macduff and

Malcolm are talking and Macduff pronounces “Not in legions of horrid hell can come a devil more

damn?d in evils, to top Macbeth” (4. 3. l55-56). It is understood that Macduff views Macbeth

as a man even further corrupt than any devil and would consequently characterize him as evil.

Subsequent to that, Macbeth enters a scene with Young Siward and Young Siward asks for his name.

Macbeth replies and Young Siward replies with “The devil himself could not pronounce a title

more hateful to mine ear” (5. 7. l8-9). This shows that, as well, Young Siward views Macbeth

as a bad man and would also characterize Macbeth. Lastly, Malcolm is speaking with Macduff and

saying how he will reveal his real evil self and states “When they shall be open’d, black Macbeth

will seem as pure as snow” (4. 3. l52-53). This characterizing Macbeth as a dark person but

contrary to previous beliefs, Malcolm is actually more evil. Darkness imagery was very

effective in characterizing Macbeth in all the preceding quotes.

Consequently viewing the previous, it is undoubtedly true that darkness does play a big

role in developing the dramatic purposes. Darkness imagery does help convey to the audience

the atmosphere, it does provoke the audiences response to the play, and it did help illustrate

the characters in Macbeth. Imagery plays a huge roll in the development of any piece of

literature.