In Shakespeare's Macbeth, the play introduces two partners of greatness with a strong desire to become the King and Queen of Scotland. Macbeth is introduced as a bold, noble, valiant, and worthy hero. Macbeth is initially a loyal general to King Duncan, but is corrupted by his hubris and excessive ambition. Lady Macbeth is introduced in the play as the authority figure in their relationship, with a strong ability to influence and manipulate Macbeth. In the play, the two characters' states of mind are revealed through imagery, diction, rhetorical devices, syntax, and figurative devices. In act 3, scene 2, as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's relationship begins to deteriorate, their language reveals a weary Lady Macbeth, and an insecure and resolute Macbeth.
Imagery reveals an insecure Macbeth plagued by his guilt, but also a resolute Macbeth determined to carry out Banquo's murder. First, he uses animal imagery to deliver the following statements: "We have scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it" (3.2.15)[,] and " O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife" (40)[.] The animal imagery reveals that Macbeth is aware that his crown could be taken away from him at any moment. Macbeth always sees the possibility of his downfall; he is still not at peace and his conscience and guilt from Duncan's murder are eating him away. Then, Macbeth uses dark imagery such as "ere to black Hecate's summons The shard-borne beetle, with his drowsy hums, Hath rung night's yawning peal" (45-47), and "[c]ome seeling night, Scarf up the tender eye of pitiful day" (51-52)[.] By invoking evil, the dark imagery reveals Macbeth's affinity to darkness as he resolves to have Banquo and Fleance killed. Macbeth calls on night to fall so darkness will hide his horrible deed. Thus, imagery reveals an insecure and resolute Macbeth.
Furthermore, diction reveals a weary Lady Macbeth and Macbeth's insecurity and resolve.
