In Macbeth, the imagery of animals behavior and class status advances the theme of
animals in relation to human characteristics. The examples discussed in my paper will
make it quite clear that this imagery is evident, throughout the play.
In Act 1 sc. 3 line 8, the first witch chants and says that the sailor is the master of
the Tiger. The witch is comparing the man to a Tiger. The tiger is a very good animal and
is near the top of the Elizabethan World Picture. Hence the man is good. Furthermore
the witch say's that she herself is like a rat without a tail. Thus she is missing something
important. The witch is incomplete, just like the rat. Furthermore I believe she is hiding
something because when you are missing something you are apt to be very self conscious
and hide it. In addition the rat is veer low on the chain of being.
The next passage is Act 1 sc. 7 line 49. In this passage Lady Macbeth is quoted
saying "like the poor cat I 'th' adage" (1, vii., 49). That means "the cat who eats fish but
will not get his feet wet " (Folgers, p 40). Lady Macbeth is telling Macbeth that he is like
the cat because he wants to become king but he won't get his hands bloody. However
Lady Macbeth would find someone else to get their feet wet, someone to do her dirty
work.
In act 2 scene 4 line 15, the old man and Ross talk about the recent murder. The
old man says that the killer, an owl made sure no one was looking and attacked the falcon
and killed it. The owl, lower then the falcon on the chain of being usually eats mice,
Very Nice!
The topic of Macbeth being a tragic hero is very good! I suggest leaving out the passive voice words though: is were been being, words like that.
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