Examples Of Figurative Language In Macbeth

In literary works the visual description or figurative language used by the author is key to transmit the theme and plot of the novel. Shakespeare has been known for his unique, timeless style that incorporates his bold use of imagery. The distinctive repetitiveness of motifs is idiosyncratic in his approach towards classic literature. In the play Macbeth, symbols are used to translate the ideas of the characters. The antagonist, Macbeth, transitions from a Thane of Cawdor to King, innocent to guilty, through a series of murder sprees. He ultimately gains the thrown and a ruthless sense of power. With assistance from his wife, Lady Macbeth, the two learn the guilt-ridden price of cold-bloodedness. Shakespeare uses imagery in blood and supernatural

prophecies to convey Macbeth's guilt and overly ambitious character.
One of the most prevalent images in the play is the blood to display the guilt of the human mind to the reader.

From the beginning of the play blood was used to illustrate the violence and ruthlessness of Macbeth, as Shakespeare vividly described his swordsman abilities when “he unseamed him from the nave to th’ chops and fix'd his head upon our battlements”. The reader's natural reaction is shock from the blunt savagery, but is accepting when it is portrayed in a militaristic total warfare atmosphere. There is no second thoughts or signs of remorse from Macbeth when he is fighting with passion for a king who he believes in. The death of this soldier will clearly fall onto Macbeth forever but it has no significance in the rest of the plot when the act of killing was purely for the sake of defending the honor of his king. However the tables shift when the killing begins to target that same king who Macbeth would so easily kill for and then the guilt lingers in the main

characters.
As the plot develops Lady Macbeth first dominates Macbeth on their initial scheme to fulfill Macbeth’s prophecy by persuading him to kill King Duncan. Macbeth is hesitant and Lady Macbeth reassures him that “A little water clears us of this deed” implying that once the blood washes away it is as if it never happened; there is no longer any more evidence to tie them to the murder. Despite her reassurances it is she who is greatly impacted by the guilt of murderous treason that leads to her demise. Referring to the blood caused by the murders Lady Macbeth says, “Out out damned spot”. She vigorously tries repeatedly to rid herself of the blood, which symbolizes the deed, but it cannot be undone or taken back, therefore she will be stuck with the figurative bloodstain of the murders for the rest of her life, unable to saturate the severity on her soul.
Even her doctor admits that her “unnatural deeds” are a “disease…beyond (his) practice”. The only way for her to regain a stable peace of mind would be to purge and be liberated of her sins, a doctor cannot help the Lady, for her matters lie within a more spiritual realm than a physical one.
Like the significance of the blood, the supernatural prophesies of the witches bring out Macbeths true intentions and power hungry drive.

It is Macbeths fatal mistake that he entrusted them, which gave him such confidence to the excessively determined to make them come true, driving the murders. Not only do the prophesy from the witches and the pressure from Lady Macbeth tell him that he is destined to kill Duncan, but his subconscious mind does when he says, “this a dagger which I see before me...the handle towards my hand?" Macbeth visualizes the dagger before him to further add to Shakespeare’s use of imagery to convey the level of influence the characters have over him. The dagger is plain out in front of him with complications or struggles egging and taunting him to kill

Duncan.
Throughout the play, Shakespeare interconnects his images to outline the play. In order to accomplish his firm plot he must have symbolism and a deeper connection between his images and characters. Blood is used to emphasis the guilt of murder and the supernatural prophecies are used to reveal Macbeths true overly ambitious character. The symbols act as a reminder that the subconscious self always knows the truths in the story of a person’s life and maintains them until one’s very last breathes. Shakespeare’s themes run into the smallest aspects of our daily lives to illustrate that all decisions bear consequences.