Macbeth-Clothing as a Symbol

The imagery of clothing used in the Macbeth play is used in three different ways. It is used to change the character’s attitude, advance the plot, and foreshadow the death. There are many small details about clothing and for the ways it is used. The characters have different roles in the play in which they have to wear different clothes. Wearing different clothes changes the character’s attitude.

Imagery of clothing plays a crucial role in developing the plot. Clothing in Macbeth is often compared to positions or ranks. Macbeth’s ambition caused him to strive to improve his social standing. Shakespeare makes his use of imagery well known, and in Macbeth it affects the whole play. Each detail of imagery has to be understood to be able to interpret the play. In the beginning of the play, Shakespeare uses a great example of clothing imagery when Ross tells Macbeth that he is the new Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth does not believe him because the Thane of Cawdor was still alive and he does not know how this could come about. “The Thane of Cawdor lives. Why do you dress me in borrowed robes?” (1.3.308). Macbeth is asking why you put me in the robes of the Thane of Cawdor as if I were he, because I’m not. We see that a new title is like new or borrowed clothes. Another example of clothing imagery is when Banquo dismisses Macbeth’s unusual response to the message that Ross gave him Duncan’s announcement, naming Macbeth Thane of Cawdor in gratitude of saving his kingdom.

With in the play Macbeth, the imagery of clothing portrays that Macbeth is seeking to hide his disgraceful self from his eyes and others. Shakespeare wants to keep alive the contrast between the pitiful creature and Macbeth really is and the disguises he assumes to conceal the fact. Macbeth is constantly represented symbolically as the wearer of robes not belonging to him. He is wearing an undeserved dignity, which is a point well made by the uses of clothing imagery. The description of the...