Term Papers on Macbeth 11

Term Paper Title	Macbeth 11
# of Words	880
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	3.52

Macbeth 11

     One of the most important tools in literature is imagery.  It is not just in there to
fill up paper; rather, there is at least one dramatic purpose for each image and there are many
different types of imagery.  This essay seeks to prove that in the play Macbeth the author
William Shakespeare uses darkness imagery for three dramatic purposes.  Those three purposes
are, to create atmosphere, to arouse the emotions of the audience and to contribute to the
major theme of the play.
     The darkness imagery in Macbeth contributes to its ominous atmosphere.  In the very
beginning of the play the three witches are talking and the first witch says "When shall we
three meet again?  In thunder, lightning, or in rain?" (Macbeth 1. 1. line 1).  This is a good
example of darkness imagery because when you think of  the crashing thunder, lightning and
rain, they all remind you of evil and ominous things.  Later on the Sergeant is talking with
Duncan and Malcolm when he states "Ship wrecking storms and direful thunders break" (1. 2. l26).
Again this darkness imagery contributes to the ominous atmosphere of the play, having reference
to thunder and dark storms.  Finally, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth are talking in the scene just
before the murder of Banquo and Macbeth says "Light thickens, and the crow makes wing to the
rooky wood: Good things of day begin to droop and drowse, whiles night’s black agents to their
preys do rouse" (3. 2. l50-53).  This example of darkness imagery is saying that the day is
turning into night, all the good things are going to sleep, and the evil creatures are coming
out .  The evil in this previous quotation and the two before adds to the ominous atmosphere.
Since the imagery creates an ominous atmosphere it would then lead to the second dramatic
purpose, to arouse the emotions of the audience.  Darkness imagery is a very good tool for
arousing the emotions of  the audience.  It enables people to create a mental picture of the
what they are reading.  For instance, in this instance of darkness imagery Duncan and Macbeth
were talking when Macbeth says aside "Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and
deep desires" (1. 4. l50-51).  When words like dark and desire are put in that context it
creates many horrible mental pictures about murders and fights which arouses peoples emotions.
Ross is later talking with an old man when he states "By the clock `tis day, and yet dark
night strangles the traveling lamp" (2. 4. l6-7).  In other words; although, the sun should be
out, something is blocking th...

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