Macbeth

The usage of fire as imagery is a pastiche in the play. Lady Macbeth says "What hath quenched them, hath given me fire." This shows that while all the other guests are asleep and drunk Lady Macbeth feels active and intense. By saying the drink has given her fire she implies that it has made her impulsive and dangerous.

An arrow is used as imagery for Macbeth's killing. Malcolm and Donaldbain run away because they believe: "This murderous shaft that's shot hath not yet lighted, and our safest way is to avoid the aim." By this they mean the 'arrow' that killed Duncan has not yet hit the ground but is flying around trying to find it's next victim. They fear that the person who killed their father will come to kill them. The safest way the can see to avoid this is to run away 'to leave the arrow's path'.

Yet again there is imagery associated with robes. Macduff bids Ross "Adieu, lest our old robes sit easier than our new." The robes are referring to the kings. The new robe is Macbeth and the old one is Malcolm. It is a warning that Malcolm is no longer heir to the throne and supporting him would make you a traitor.

Many animals are used as imagery in the play. Macbeth says: "We have scorched the snake, not killed it." In this case the snake is Duncan's power. Macbeth fears that killing Duncan was not enough because he still has many followers. The use of a snake in this sense is an interesting choice. One reason may be that an injured snake is much more dangerous. Another could be that in the eyes of Macbeth who were loyal to Duncan are the traitors rather than himself.

There is a lot of irony to be found in Macbeth. One piece of irony is when Lady Macbeth tells her husband "A little water clears us of this deed." after the murder of Duncan. This is ironic because later on in the play Lady Macbeth Is sleepwalking and tries continually but fails to wash her hands of the fowl deed.

Macbeth is aware that by killing the king it has only led to more killing. This is shown in the quote: "blood will have blood." This quote tells us that the blood of Duncan will need more blood. This quote can be seen as foreshadowing of two different events. Either Macbeth will have to kill and kill and kill. Or Macbeth himself will be killed for the murder of the king.

The use of clothing as imagery is a common pastiche in Macbeth. One example of this is when Macbeth says "The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me In borrowed robes?" In this quote Macbeth treats titles like clothing. He is borrowing a title from someone who is still alive. The use of clothing as a metaphor is very common in Macbeth.

Banquo uses the metaphor of fire to warn Macbeth of over ambition. Banquo tells macbeth that it "Might yet enkindle you unto the crown." This subtle imagery has a very powerful meaning. Banquo tells Macbeth that while his ambition might be just a spark, a spark is all it takes to start a roaring fire that will destroy everything in it's path including Macbeth.

Sleep is a pastiche in Macbeth. After Macbeth kills Duncan he hears a voice saying that "Macbeth does murder sleep." One interpretation of this could be that to sleep is to rest and since Macbeth has killed the king Scotland will be unable to rest. Another possible interpretation is that Macbeth killed the king at a time where the king should be safe and resting.

It only takes 4 scenes for Macbeth to change from a noble warrior to a scheming traitor. Macbeth's transformation truly comes into view when he says "The Prince of Cumberland: that is a step on which I must fall down, or else o'erleap, for in my way it lies." This occurs right after king Duncan names Malcolm as heir to the throne. Macbeth realizes that the chances of him becoming king have just dropped dramatically, he must either give up here or take Malcolm out of the picture.