Atmosphere in act 2 of Macbeth

Language and imagery in Macbeth are key aspects in the process of constructing a certain atmosphere. The use of imagery can manipulate the whole tone of a piece. Macbeth is an excellent example of this.

In the beginning of act 2 it is made evident events are taking place at night, which has gothic implications of its own.  A little later Macbeth has a large soliloquy, by which he bares a tortured mind in the strain of pre murder ‘’nature seems dead and wicked dreams taunt the curtained sleep’’. A soliloquy in itself appears gothic as it depicts the darkest recesses of a being’s mind; a place thought to be sacred but in gothic plays such as Macbeth, the characters thoughts are laid bare for an audience of people to hear; events of impossibility in reality. The soliloquy consists of Macbeth’s procrastination as he thinks of the repercussions of murder.  All this relates to a dark atmosphere with murder a main theme; consistent with the gothic Macbeth.

Some imagery used, depicts grotesque scenes of animals, shortly after and during the murder of Duncan. ‘’i heard the owl’s shriek and the crickets cry’’, dialog used by lady Macbeth could represent the disorder caused in nature through the severity of Macbeth’s bloody deed. Even the most remote beings, such as animals are stirring as an outcry to Duncan’s murder, representing the sheer severity of the act. As is the case of an old man claiming horses became mad in their paddocks and ate each other.  Such a horrifying image again relates to the severity of Macbeth’s doings, demonstrating how nature has been turned on its head.

During the murder when Macbeth is out of sight lady Macbeth appears fearful. In doing this she seems to regain of her femininity; in stark contrast to her predominantly masculine embodiments. However, in the next scene Macbeth appears to become the dominated character again as he cannot return to the sight of the murder to plant the daggers needed in order to frame the guards. Lady Macbeth then takes on this role resuming her place as the dominant character.  The way Lady Macbeth addresses him after the murder appears very emotionally detached, as she concerns herself more with the smooth run of their plot. ‘’Give me the daggers. The sleeping and the dead are but pictures. ‘Tis the eye of childhood that fears a painted devil...’’ this represents a much more proficient atmosphere than one embellished with emotion; some may argue emotional release is how one would conduct having just committed murder.

Macbeth describes the reaction of the guards whilst he laid in wait to murder them also, ‘’there’s ones did laugh in one’s sleep and one cried murder’’. This quotation demonstrates the monstrosity of the murder as the imagery switches from vast contrasts of laughter- connoting happiness, to murder.  A joyous activity such as laughing is overshadowed by the dark theme of murder, denying the catharsis of happy emotion.  A swift change in atmosphere that is consistent throughout the play such as the hypocritical atmosphere portrayed by Lord and Lady Macbeth under their plot to kill Duncan: despite appearing to be courteous hosts.

  In act 2 Macbeth describes with great passion the bliss of sleep ‘’Balm of hurt minds’’. He then exclaims how he shall sleep no more. This illustrates the great depth of his guilt; in killing Duncan he has robbed himself of this essential thing in life that applies to all men. The portrayal of Macbeth’s decent into despair presents in itself, an extremely foreboding atmosphere- again correlating to the fall of a hero in act 2 of Shakespearean literature.

‘’Will all of Neptune’s ocean wash this blood from my hand?’’ this imagery expresses Macbeth’s outcry.  The use of such an extensive metaphor depicts his guilt ‘’all of Neptune’s ocean’’ Nothing can reduce the guilt he is feeling by way of what he feel was such an extensive act of cruelty.