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Machbeth
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In William Shakespeare's Macbeth animal imagery is used to foreshadow, to provide clues for the reader to be able to predict what might occur later on in the story,to connect to the world of the supernatural, and to characterize.Though imagery is widespread throughout Macbeth, it is most dominant in animal imagery. The first animal that is introduced is the raven. Here Macbeth decides that killing Duncan would be necessary to make the witches prophecies come true. Therefore, the raven is used to represent the death and destruction that will result in Duncan's demise. This was one example that was used to show how animal imagery foreshadowed future events. Other animals that were used to foreshadow were scorpions, an owl, a falcon and horses.
the scorpions were used to show Macbeth's emotions. Macbeth stated "full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife (3.2; 35)" as his mind was beginning to become poisoned and paranoid over his actions. He was becoming overwhelmed during this time, so his mistakes began to catch up with him. The next example contributed to the theme of the breakdown of natural order as caused by fate. When Ross spoke with an old man, the old man told of strange happenings that involved an owl killing a falcon and horses feasting on one another. (2.4; 10-18) Shakespeare used these events to represent the collapse of order where the roles of the prey and predators reversed and other uncommon occurrences took place. This also occurred in the play when Macbet...
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