How Does Shakespeare Use Mental Imagery In Macbeth

The Twofold Oxymoronic Imagery in Macbeth

The genius involved in William Shakespeare’s compositions is rarely questioned in the literary world. Imagery is arguably the most important tool in Macbeth; Shakespeare uses it to exaggerate events beyond their literal meanings, express characters’ emotions, and associate characters with good or evil. In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses two types of psychological imagery to constantly variate Macbeth’s character. Through persuasion imagery, the other characters in the play influence Macbeth to serve his own evil ambitions using his own paranoia and guilt. Second, sanity imagery directly parallels Macbeth’s trusting the Witches. Careful observation of Shakespeare’s use of these psychological imageries grants the audience an understanding of the motivations behind Macbeth’s deeds.

The first example of this imagery presents itself during Macbeth and Banquo’s first confrontation with the Witches. Macbeth is hailed as Thane of Glamis, Thane of Cawdor, and as future King. Though nonplussed, Macbeth sees these titles as favorable and

Both Lady Macbeth and the Witches are able to tear Macbeth from his innocence and virtue and persuade him to follow his aspiration. When he hearkens to the Witches, he is robbed of his sanity, his conscience, and his ability to make logic-based decisions for the good of the world, rather than the good of the individual. However, Macduff is able to turn Macbeth from his ignorance and arrogance and return him to his morals. Macbeth’s subsequent banishment of the Witches from his mind results in the immediate restoration of his sanity. The brilliance of these imageries in Shakespeare’s Macbeth arises not purely from their incorporation into the text, or their subtle appearance, but from their use for both destruction and construction, for both ignorance and sanity, and for both good and