Macbeth Symbolism Analysis

In the play, “Macbeth” written by Shakespeare there are many deaths and strange happenings taking place. Many of the main characters begin to die off, really taking you by surprise. Shakespeare had an interesting idea to include the use of symbolism and imagery throughout his play. Symbolism is the use of symbols to explain the meaning of qualities, emotions, or ideas. Imagery is a description of visual symbolism in a literary work. There were multiple uses of symbolism and imagery acknowledged from beginning to end. Three of the main appearances of symbolism and imagery seem to involve the use of the number three, symbols of death, and strange occurrences in nature. Shakespeare’s interpretation of the use of the number three is definitely not complicated to pick up. The number three is brought up
Three of these main examples are light and darkness, bird imagery, and uncommon nature. The light represents the time of Banquo’s murder, in which Banquo is the light in contrast to Macbeth’s dark movement to take the throne. As the light is fading out during this scene, Banquo is slowly dying. Bird imagery is used brilliantly during the play. One of the strongest uses of bird imagery comes about when Lady Macbeth is warned that the King is coming to visit. This is when the Macbeths have their first thoughts of murdering King Duncan. “The raven himself is hoarse, that croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan under my battlements.” (Shakespeare 318) The black raven symbolizes evil, and bad events that will soon take place. Acts of uncommon nature come to play around the end of the second act. An old man tells the reader of these strange happenings. These acts of uncommon nature include: owls eating falcons, horses eating horses, and crazy storms. All of these acts of Nature symbolize all of the misfortune, and dark times that will take place later on in the