Imagery in Macbeth
English 1
Name: ____________________________
Imagery is language that appeals to the five senses. Shakespeare was a master of weaving
imagery throughout his plays and poems. The consistent use of such images throughout Macbeth
develops what is called a motif—the development of a consistent theme, image, idea, etc.
throughout a piece of literature.
Choose three of the following kinds of images that are used throughout Macbeth and find three
quotes from Acts 1-5 of Macbeth that illustrate the development of these motifs.
-animal imagery
-death imagery
-milk imagery
-other
-blood imagery
-royal imagery
-clothing imagery
-plant imagery
-supernatural imagery
-mythological imagery
Example:
1. Imagery choice: _Mythological Imagery________________________
Quote 1: “Witchcraft celebrates pale Hecate’s offerings, and withered murder,
alarumed by his sentinel, the wolf, whose howl’s his watch, thus with his
stealthy pace, with Tarquin’s ravishing strides, towards his design” (2.1. 51-55).
Explanation: These words reference a Prince from Roman mythology to show
how sneaky Macbeth is feeling as he creeps into Duncan’s sleeping chamber.
When you have chosen the three motifs you will focus on, think of the universal message that
you feel runs throughout the play. You are to construct a thesis with these points of direction that
focus on the usage of that imagery within Macbeth. Review your thesis notes from first semester.
Write your thesis below.
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1. Imagery choice: ___________________________
a. Quote 1:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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b. Quote 2:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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c. Quote 3:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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2. Imagery choice: ___________________________
a. Quote 1:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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b. Quote 2:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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c. Quote 3:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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3. Imagery choice: ___________________________
a. Quote 1:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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b. Quote 2:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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c. Quote 3:____________________________________________________________
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Explanation: ________________________________________________________
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