The motif of darkness in Shakespeare's play "Macbeth" serves to enhance the theme of corruption and deterioration. From the very beginning of the play, the darkness is associated with the prophecies of the witches and the sense of foreboding they bring. This darkness is further tied to the characters of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, whose actions and desires are shrouded in secrecy and deceit.
The motif of darkness is also used to contrast with the motif of light, which is associated with honesty, goodness, and the natural order of things. The darkness serves to obscure and hide, while the light serves to reveal and expose. This contrast is exemplified in the famous line, "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," which highlights the reversal of moral order that takes place in the play.
One way in which the motif of darkness is used to enhance the theme of corruption is through the character of Lady Macbeth. She is described as "unsex[ing] herself" and "pour[ing] her spirits in [Macbeth's] ear," suggesting that she is willing to go to great lengths to manipulate and corrupt Macbeth in order to achieve her own ambitions. This darkness is also evident in her soliloquy, in which she prays to the spirits to "unnatural" deeds, such as murder.
The motif of darkness is also evident in the character of Macbeth himself, who is described as being "full of the milk of human kindness" at the beginning of the play. However, as he becomes more and more consumed by his own ambition and guilt, he becomes increasingly isolated and paranoid, with the darkness serving as a metaphor for his inner turmoil. This is exemplified in his famous soliloquy, in which he contemplates the murder of Duncan and says, "I am in blood stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o'er."
Overall, the motif of darkness in "Macbeth" serves to enhance the theme of corruption and deterioration by symbolizing the secrecy, deceit, and moral decay that characterizes the actions of the play's central characters. It also serves to contrast with the motif of light, which represents honesty and the natural order of things.
Theme Of Darkness In Macbeth
In Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, the character of Lady Macbeth chooses the path of evil to fulfill her unscrupulous ambition; nevertheless, all that evil brings to her is madness and restlessness. Simply, the action of washing her hands shows the guilt and how the goodness inside wants to cleanse her depravity. Nature Of Evil In Macbeth 1191 Words 5 Pages Macbeth, the tragedy by the renowned William Shakespeare. As the evening closes in, everyone begins to wind down, not expecting any real action until the breaking of the dawn. Macbeth is actually saying do not let the good see my evil, his secret wishes.
Macbeth (Motif) – Light and Darkness
. Macbeth doesn't literally mean that he's going to wear the old thane's hand-me-down clothing. Lady Macbeth Masculinity Quotes 107 Words 1 Pages William Shakespeare portrayed the character Lady Macbeth to be extremely ruthless, malicious and manipulative. These three symbols all contribute to the mysterious aura found in Macbeth. In the play, three scheming witches tell the main character, Macbeth, his prophecies of becoming thane of Cawdor, and, later king of Scotland. Darkness imagery also is very useful for a further dramatic purpose, to characterize, and specifically in characterizing Macbeth. The action is bookended by a pair of bloody battles: in the first, Macbeth defeats the invaders; in the second, he is slain and beheaded by Macduff.
Motif Of Darkness In Macbeth
Wicked desires cause people to go to any extreme to get what they want and often cause destruction. However, succeeding being on the throne does not bring the desired happiness. Notably, blood is connected to death and darkness, especially throughout Macbeth. The most effective symbols and motifs that Shakespeare uses are the birds, blood, and sleep. Throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare leads the plot into dark scenes with the copious amounts of murder, witchcraft and evil desires of the characters. In the book, lightness and darkness are used to foreshadow life and death;it embodies the life force.
Motif Of Blood And Darkness In Macbeth
Depending on where they live, one's surroundings affect their reactions and decisions. In other words, evilness is becoming stronger and takes over the good. He is aware of the wrong he has committed of which he deeply regrets, but he is also aware that he can never turn back. Washing, an image that can connect to being clean or pure, connects to the way angels are; therefore, creating a bridge between Lady macbeth and an angel. Macbeth has murderers kill Banquo and attempt to kill Fleance because of… Ambition In Shakespeare And William Shakespeare's Macbeth The witches in Macbeth merely act as the agents of self - determinism whom used their knowledge to plant a seed of ambition in Macbeth.
Macbeth: Motifs
Then when Macbeth does not take courage to move forward, it is Lady Macbeth who urges him. As a tragic story, blood is laced throughout the play, serving as a reflection of the guilty conscious that leads to a consuming distress that one becomes unable to hide. In addition, the ideas of nature and the unnatural are often Dichotomy In Macbeth Shakespeare sheds light on the dichotomy of good and evil with the connection of death. This characterizing Macbeth as a dark person but contrary to previous beliefs, Malcolm is actually more evil Consequently viewing the previous, it is undoubtedly true that darkness does play a big role in developing the dramatic purposes. Lady Macbeth is portrayed as a strong woman who is attracted to power and would do anything to be in control; she is anything but an elegant and sensitive woman.
