The Importance of Clothing in Macbeth

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Recommended: Symbolism used in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

The Importance of Clothing in Macbeth

In Shakespeare's Macbeth, clothing imagery represents the titles that Macbeth wears. Macbeth receives two new titles throughout the play; one is earned and the other stolen. The first, Thane of Cawdor, is rightfully his because he earned it. The second, King of Scotland, is a stolen title that does not fit him honestly. Macbeth's clothing in the play symbolizes both of the titles that he acquires.

In the beginning of the play, Macbeth already bears the title Thane of Glamis. After a Norwegian invasion and local rebellion in which Macbeth captures the Thane of Cawdor, Macbeth receives his title. When Macbeth is first hailed Thane of Cawdor by Ross he responds with, "Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?" (Act I, Scene III, Line 116). The "borrowed robes" are that of the previous Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth says this not knowing that Duncan, the King of Scotland, has sentenced the treacherous Thane of Cawdor to death and named Macbeth with his title.

Banquo, Macbeth's friend at the time compliments Macbeth on his new title, but at the same time says they do not quite fit him yet.

New honors come upon him,

Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold

But with the aid of use (Act I, Scene III, Line 161).

He is saying that Macbeth is not used to wearing the Thane of Cawdor title because it is such a new feeling. Macbeth does not feel comfortable with the title although he earned it by catching a traitor to the king and to Scotland.

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...someone else. This is because they do belong to someone else. They were stolen from Duncan, the "giant" (V, II, 24), by "a dwarfish thief" (V, II, 25), Macbeth. The previous quote gives an image of a small, wicked man taking the rightful position of a large, strong man through treachery and betrayal. Macbeth's robes "hang loose" (V, II, 24) because he is not big enough to fill them up.

Throughout the play, Macbeth is seen as a small dishonorable man always wearing clothing that does not belong to him. Whether the clothes are too small or too big, the main point is that they do not fit Macbeth because they do not rightfully belong to him. Shakespeare fills his play with clothing imagery in order to easily show Macbeth's different titles.

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