In Macbeth, Macbeth is seen as the tragic hero who experiences his tragic death by the end of the play, a death that he seems to deserve. His journey to his fall begins when he receives the witches prophecy that he will become king. He is portrayed as a respectable war hero at the beginning, but his good reputation dissolves as he is tempted for absolute power. Shakespeare parallels Macbeths character development to differing meanings of clothing, proving the corrupting power of ambition on Macbeth.
At the beginning of the play, clothing imagery is used to show innocence, which is reflected in an uncorrupted Macbeth. When Macbeth hears that he has become Thane of Cawdor, proving the witches prophecy to be true, he inquires the Thane of Cawdor lives; why do you dress me / In borrowed robes? (1.3). Throughout the play, robes represent royalty because Macbeth references a high social position. Macbeths question and word usage portrays an honorable and innocent character. Lady Macbeth leads him to commit the murder of Duncan, and his reaction to his guilt is shown in clothing imagery. Lady Macbeth accuses him, My hands are of your color, but I shame / To wear a heart so white (2.2). White color can be seen as innocence and fear. Macbeth is now a foil to Lady Macbeth; she presents herself with confidence after Duncans murder, while Macbeth shows natural, uncorrupted qualities of guilt. For now, Macbeths character is uncorrupted by ambition, but a change in clothing imagery holds a change in Macbeth.
As the play moves on, clothing imagery changes to represent insecurities and a guilty conscience, which directly relates to how ambition is harming Macbeth. After the murder of Duncan, the thanes along with Macbeth use clothing imagery to discuss their uneasiness. Banquo talks about his emotions, or naked frailties (28). While Banquo is upset about the murder of Duncan, Macbeth is fearful about the thanes suspicions. Their bare uneasiness upsets them. Macbeths insecurities are further revealed when he talks about Banquo, who wear our health but sickly in his life, / Which in his death wear perfect (3.1). Clothing imagery represents the bad health of his mind, showing what ambition has done to him. His health would be better if he killed Banquo. Clothing changes from representing Macbeths innocence to representing his insecurities, proving how his ambition for power is corrupting him.
By the end of the play, it is clearly seen that Macbeths ambitions have ruined him as clothing represents a role that he cannot fill. The nobles discuss how he is unfit to be a king while they plan his murder. How does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giants robe / Upon a dwarfish thief (5.3). The large role of king has been badly played by Macbeth. Macbeth has changed from one who was respected to one who is now referenced to as a thief. Macbeths actions to become king have also driven him to become a person with different qualities. When he demands over and over, Give me my armour! (5.3), he is begging for protection that he no longer has. His new qualities shown with his angry demands have lost him respect as king. His ambitions to have more power have ruined both his character and role. Macbeths corrupted character qualities are shown through unfitting clothing imagery.
In conclusion, Macbeth started as an honorable character, but was corrupted by the power of his ambition, reflected in a dramatic change of clothing imagery. From innocence to insecurity to failure, clothing imagery is used to track Macbeths tragic fall.
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