Shakespeare uses the motif of clothing which represents rank and responsibility to portray Macbeth’s incompetency and to denounce his illegitimate claims to power as he ascends to the top of the Scottish hierarchy. After Macbeth’s return from war, he is honored as an outstanding war hero and greatly praised by King Duncan. When the Thane of Cawdor is announced as a traitor and executed, King Duncan rewards Macbeth with his title. The messenger, Ross, only informs Macbeth about his inheritance of the title not the execution which leads to Macbeth’s question, “The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes? (1.3. 114-115). This reveals the motif of clothing because “borrowed robes” is referring to the title, The Thane of Cawdor,
