Macbeth Animal Motifs

Erik Euler

Period 7

Leitmotifs

Animal Imagery



FIRST WITCH: I come, Graymalkin!
SECOND WITCH: Paddock calls.
(Act 1, Scene 1, Lines 9-10)
      This is animal imagery because Graymalkin is the first witches’ cat, and Paddock is the second witches’ toad.


Line 4-5)

      In this line Lady Macbeth is waiting for Macbeth to finish the fatal deed. She says to listen and be quiet because that was the owl who shrieked. This is a very eerie night.

“ROSS
And Duncan’s horses—a thing most strange and certain—
Beauteous and swift, the minions of their race,
Turned wild in nature, broke their stalls, flung out,
Contending 'gainst obedience, as they would
Make war with mankind.
OLD MAN
     'Tis said they eat each other.
ROSS
They did so, to th' amazement of mine eyes
That looked upon ’t.”(Act 2, Scene 4, Lines 14-20)

The old man and Ross are talking about the strange happenings of the night before in which Ross witnessed horse breaking out of their stalls and eating eachother.



“We have scorched the snake, not killed it.” (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 15)

      In this line Macbeth uses a metaphor to say that they haven’t finished the deed yet. They killed Banquo, but they didn’t kill Fleance who is the heir to the throne.

“O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!” (Act 3, Scene 2, Line 36)

      Macbeth is filled with guilt and he is unable to think strait. He is so consumed by killing King Duncan and the upcoming murder of Banquo and he just wants power. He is going crazy for power.

“Her husband's to Aleppo gone, master o’ the Tiger; But in a sieve I'll thither sail, And, like a rat without a tail, I'll do, I'll do, and I'll do.”   (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 8-11)

This leitmotif displays unnatural imagery by depicting an image in which the normal on goings of nature are counteracted. All rats have tails that is why this is unnatural.

“As birds do, Mother.” (Act 4, Scene 2, Line 33)

      Macduff’s son is talking to...