Symbolism Macbeth Symbols are objects, characters, figures, and colors used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

What do these have in common? They are all elements of symbolism; parts of William Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth.”

The witches are symbolic of the SUPERNARURAL and UNDERWORLD; They disturb the natural order and are EVIL.

The Weather Witch 1: “When shall we three meet again? In thunder, lightning, or in rain?” (1.1.1-2) Macbeth’s grotesque murder spree is accompanied by a number of unnatural occurrences in the natural realm. From the thunder and lightning that accompany the witches’ appearances to the terrible storms that rage on the night of Duncan’s murder, these violations of the natural order reflect corruption in the moral and political orders.

Animals The animals are an important symbol used throughout the play. Animals are often used to illustrate death and foreshadowing bad things to come. It helps also sets the tone of the play. "A falcon tow'ring in her pride of place, Was by a mousing owl hawk'd at and kill'd." (2.4.14-15). "And Duncan's horses ... Turn'd wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out, Contending with obedience ..." (Act 2, Scene 4, Lines 16-20). These two quotes describe the unnatural events that occurred the night of Duncan's murder. It is very unnatural for an owl to kill a falcon, and for horses to be cannibalistic. These unnatural happenings not only echo the tragedy of Duncan's unnatural death, but also foreshadows the downfall of the Macbeths. Watch: "Macbeth" SYMBOL 2 -- William Shakespeare's "Macbeth": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTEQCteQCE

Blood=Guilt Blood symbolizes the guilt that sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, one that hounds them to their graves. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” (2.2.58–59). (Macbeth cries after he has killed Duncan, even as his wife scolds him and says that a little water will do the job.) “Out, damned spot; out, I say . . . who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?” (5.1.30–34). (Lady Macbeth asks as she wanders through the halls of their castle near the close of the play.) WATCH: "Macbeth" SYMBOL 1 -- William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-1tuylKZl0

LADY MACBETH WAS CONSIDERED TO BE SHAKESPEARE’S GREATEST VILLAINESS. SHE WILL STOP AT NOTHING TO BECOME QUEEN – EVEN IF IT MEANS MURDERING HER OWN CHILD.

MACBETH WAS A WEAKLING, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS DESIROUS OF BECOMING KING. HE HAD THE FULL SUPPORT OF HIS WIFE, LADY MACBETH. THEY WOULD STOP AT NOTHING TO FULFILL THEIR DESIRES OF RULING THEIR OWN KINGDOM.

THE CASTLE AND KINGDOM TO BE RULED BY MACBETH AND HIS QUEEN

Sources and Citations: Animal Imagery in Macbeth: http://www.geocities.ws/macbeth_imagery/animal.html Sparks Notes: http://www.sparknotes.com/shakespeare/macbeth/themes.html Shmoop: http://www.shmoop.com/macbeth/symbolism-imagery.html "Macbeth" SYMBOL 1 -- William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-1tuylKZl0 "Macbeth" SYMBOL 2 -- William Shakespeare's "Macbeth": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTEQCteQCE N’Jere Austin, Cheryl Melton – Ontario Trillman EDU 529 power point