1. Macbeth – Imagery of Clothing and Sleep Alex Tremble & Ryan O'Leary Tuesday, November 22 nd, 2011

2. Introduction In many plays, like Macbeth, Shakespeare skillfully places his literary devices to portray theme. Particularly, imagery relating to sleep and clothing demonstrates a character's guilt or innocence. Those who sleep well are innocent, conversely difficulty sleeping indicates a lack of innocence, and finally, imagery of clothing reinforces a character's guilt.

3. Paragraph 1 – Good Sleep Imagery relating to Duncan's restful sleep portrays the character's innocent. “Had he not resembled my father as he slept, I had done't” (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 16-17). This quotation, from Lady Macbeth, refers to king Duncan while he sleeps. She states how she is unable to kill the king due to his innocence while asleep. This proves imagery of a character's sleep contributes to their portrayal of innocence.

4. “Duncan is in his grave, after life's fitful fever he sleeps well ” (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 24-25). Macbeth claims Duncan's death is comparable to sleep. Also, Duncan sleeps well because he has had a great, innocent life. This reinforces the theme because a clear link is connected between sleeping well and innocence. It is evident that a character's innocence can be portrayed through their sleep, but what imagery is given to characters without innocence?

5. Paragraph 2 – Poor Sleep Imagery relating to difficulty sleeping demonstrates a lack of innocence in the sleeper. “Sleep no more! Macbeth does murder sleep” (Act 2, Scene 2, Lines 47-48). Macbeth is quoting voices he hears. He is convinced the guilty conscience from his murder is robbing him of sleep. This reference to sleep provides vital evidence connecting a character's poor sleep and their guilt.

6. “We will […] sleep in the affliction of these terrible dreams that shake us nightly” (Act 3, Scene 2, Lines 19-21). Shortly after learning Banquo has been successfully murdered, Macbeth makes this comment to his wife. It indicates Macbeth and Lady Macbeth have trouble sleeping due to terrible dreams related to the murders they have committed. Again, this proves the guilty have problems sleeping. Therefore, guilt is indicated by troubled sleep, although it is not the sole indicator.

7. Paragraph 3 – Clothing A character's guilt is also reinforced through imagery relating to clothing. “New honours come upon him, like our strange garments, cleave not to their mould, but with the aid of use” (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 158-159). This quotation is said by Banquo and refers to Macbeth's “fantastical murders” after he hears the first three prophecies. His bad conscience is being compared to new clothing.

8. “The thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrow'd robes?” (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 114-115). Macbeth is surprised he has earned the title, or “robes”, of the “thane of Cawdor” and is surprised one of witch's prophecies became fact. This results in Macbeth believing the prophecies further, which leads to his downfall. “Hang loose about him, like a giant's robe upon a dwarfish thief” (Act 5, Scene 2, Line 24). Through the use of clothing imagery, this quotation is demonstrating Macbeth's inability to fill Duncan's position as well as demonstrating Macbeth's illegitimate kingship. Macbeth's lack of innocence is portrayed using imagery relating to clothing.

9. Conslusion To summarize, those who are innocence sleep well, while the characters with trouble sleeping tend to be guilty. The theme of a character's guilt and innocence is proven through the use of imagery.