Hazel Mc Kenzie
English IV
Mrs. Crockett
February 3, 2016
Shakespeare’s Symbolic Use of Nature Nature is very symbolic throughout Macbeth. The order of natural events can be reflected by the power of God and darkness. The descriptions of the nature scenes are very powerful and significant in the play. The reality of human events and the natural world are one in the same. Nature is mirroring the characters’ emotional energy. This backdrop imagery is vital to the overall layers of the play. At the beginning of the play, there is a terrible storm which is associated with a dark energy. This can be seen in this quote from the play stage …show more content…
In Act II, scene iv, the Ross tells the Old Man, “And Duncan 's horses--a thing most strange and certain—” (Shakespeare n.p.). In the same scene the Old Man tells Ross, “ 'Tis said they eat each other” (Shakespeare n.p.). Another quote from this scene was told by Ross to the Old Man, “They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes” (Shakespeare n.p.). In these quotes it can be understood that Duncan’s horses ate one another. It is unnatural for horses to eat meat as they are herbivores. Phillip Weller wrote, “All of this unnaturalness is self-destructive. In the end, the horses ate each other” (n.p.). The desperation that was endured to the point of cannibalism can be closely related to Macbeth’s anguish and self-destructiveness. He became very isolated. Humans by nature are not meant to be alone. Solitude is a very slaughtering behavior to the human psych.
In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, has symbolic natural events that are closely related to the characters experiences. The intensity of the characters and direct correlation to nature events gives the play a level of depth. Shakespeare’s descriptive symbolic analogies are well connected to the events taking place. His thorough combination of nature’s depictions and character development are a vital layer of storytelling. It gives the audience a backdrop imagery which connects to the play. This layer is a vital key component to the quality and success of Macbeth. What a
English IV
Mrs. Crockett
February 3, 2016
Shakespeare’s Symbolic Use of Nature Nature is very symbolic throughout Macbeth. The order of natural events can be reflected by the power of God and darkness. The descriptions of the nature scenes are very powerful and significant in the play. The reality of human events and the natural world are one in the same. Nature is mirroring the characters’ emotional energy. This backdrop imagery is vital to the overall layers of the play. At the beginning of the play, there is a terrible storm which is associated with a dark energy. This can be seen in this quote from the play stage …show more content…
In Act II, scene iv, the Ross tells the Old Man, “And Duncan 's horses--a thing most strange and certain—” (Shakespeare n.p.). In the same scene the Old Man tells Ross, “ 'Tis said they eat each other” (Shakespeare n.p.). Another quote from this scene was told by Ross to the Old Man, “They did so, to the amazement of mine eyes” (Shakespeare n.p.). In these quotes it can be understood that Duncan’s horses ate one another. It is unnatural for horses to eat meat as they are herbivores. Phillip Weller wrote, “All of this unnaturalness is self-destructive. In the end, the horses ate each other” (n.p.). The desperation that was endured to the point of cannibalism can be closely related to Macbeth’s anguish and self-destructiveness. He became very isolated. Humans by nature are not meant to be alone. Solitude is a very slaughtering behavior to the human psych.
In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, has symbolic natural events that are closely related to the characters experiences. The intensity of the characters and direct correlation to nature events gives the play a level of depth. Shakespeare’s descriptive symbolic analogies are well connected to the events taking place. His thorough combination of nature’s depictions and character development are a vital layer of storytelling. It gives the audience a backdrop imagery which connects to the play. This layer is a vital key component to the quality and success of Macbeth. What a