Colors can symbolize different emotions and feelings that a character might experience. Each color has a different meaning, representing different characteristics.
2 Characters in Macbeth:
Macbeth-
1. Heart of Gold
The expression "heart of gold", is a commonly known phrase referring to someone as pure, honest and kind. I am using this phrase to describe Macbeth, but I am changing the meaning behind this phrase. Macbeth is power-hungry and yearned to be king. It is in his soul and apart of him to be in power and to become king. His heart or desires are filled with dreams of wanting to be king (his heart is made of gold crowns). For example, in the play, Macbeth said, "To prick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition, which o'erleaps itself and falls on the other" (Act 1 Scene 7, page 91). Macbeth elaborates on his ambitions to kill Duncan and become king.
2. Black Cat
A black cat is a superstition for bad luck. Also, the color black symbolize death in many western countries. Macbeth allowed his selfish and power-hungry mind to make one poor decision which haunted him for the rest of his life: "Better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, that on the torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy" (Act 3 Scene 2, page 157). A guilty conscience created insomnia and hallucinations. He is considered unlucky that one poor decision created a chain-reaction of guilt, fear, and remorse, ending in death.
3. Bloody Mess
This color represents the bloodshed and murders committed by Macbeth and the constant reminders from his conscience about his wrongdoings. Macbeth's guilty conscience was a reminder to himself about the murderous deeds he had committed: “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine making the green one red” (Act 2 Scene 2, page 113). In this scene, after he had killed King Duncan, Macbeth's hands were stained red. This immediately created guilt and remorse, making him regret what he had done.
King Duncan-
1. Sea the Compassion and Kindness
The color dark blue represents compassion and kindness in some western countries. King Duncan was known to be thoughtful and compassionate, always thinking about the people he ruled. Unlike Duncan, many kings during this time were greedy and often left his people poor and hungry. Duncan showed his appreciation to Macbeth by saying, "See, see, our honored hostess! The love that follows us sometimes is our trouble, which still we thank as love" (Act 1 Scene 6). Even though he was the king and had complete power, Duncan always expressed his appreciation toward others.
2. Pearly White
The color white represents peacefulness and elegance. Pearly White was chosen as the title because the pearls represent the status of King Duncan. Most pearls found are white and expensive. Also, the title represents peacefulness because Duncan was put at rest once he was killed. In the play, Macbeth said, "Besides, this Duncan hath borne his faculties so meek, hath been so clear" (Act 1 Scene 7, page 91). So, Macbeth expressed how compassionate Duncan has been.
3. Purple Reign
The color purple is associated with royalty and power, especially in western countries. Before he was killed, King Duncan has absolute power over Scotland. The title Purple Reign compliments this description of the color because of the association between power and purple. Lady Macbeth acknowledges Duncan's power by saying, "Your Majesty loads our house. For those of old and the late dignities heaped up to them, we rest your hermits" (Act 1 Scene 6).
2 Scenes in Macbeth:
Aftermath of Killing King Duncan (Act 2 Scene 2, pages 111-115)
1. Pale as a Ghost
Pale as a Ghost represent the feelings that went through Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's heads immediately after the murder of Duncan. This decision was made because they were power-hungry and greedy. When reality hit and the deed had been done, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were terrified of the consequences: "My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white" (Act 2 Scene 2, page 113). Shock ran through their heads because reality finally sunk in. The expression "pale as a ghost" is also used when somebody is in shock. They had regretted their actions.
2. Bloody Crime Scene
The killing of King Duncan was done with a dagger. This continue to haunt Macbeth because the blood didn't come off of his hands: "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean off of my hands? No, this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine making the green one red" (Act 2 Scene 2, page 113). Blood and bloodshed is a common theme in Macbeth. The bloodshed explains how a decision made from greed can been instantly regretted. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth had made a mistake that costed them a great deal of suffering. Bloody Crime Scene was the title because it represented the bloodshed as a theme and Duncan's blood in the scene.
3. Mourning Morning
The color black can represent death and mourning. I chose the title Mourning Morning because it was in the morning when everybody found out that King Duncan was dead. This was a mourning period for the entire country, as well as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The country was frightened by the murder of their king: "Awake, awake! Ring the alarum-bell. Murder and treason!" (Act 2 Scene 3, page 125). Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were witnessing their plan unravel and they were terrified that somebody would discover that they had killed him.
Macbeth Goes Back to the Witches Lair for Answers (Act 4 Scene 1, pages 193-201)
1. Dangerously in Danger
Macbeth had returned to the witches lair because he was afraid of the consequences awaiting for him. He was terrified that somebody would kill and dethrone him. In the lair, the first witch said, "Macbeth! Macbeth! Macbeth! Beware Macduff. Beware the Thane of Fife" (Act 4 Scene 1, page 195). Macbeth was relieved knowing who was a threat to him, rather than it being a surprise. The color red represents both danger and fear. I titled this color Dangerously in Danger to emphasis the main reason why Macbeth went to the witches. I also wanted to make the title similar to a rhyming couplet.
2. Orange Caution Tape
In some countries, the color orange is used as a warning. The three witches gave Macbeth warnings using three prophecies. The first and second prophecies warned Macbeth about Macduff while the third one warned him about when he will die. The warnings given brought a sense of security to Macbeth. He said, "Thou shalt not live, that I may tell pale-hearted fear it lies, and sleep in spite of thunder" (Act 4 Scene 1, page 197). The title, Orange Caution Tape, is commonly seen in daily life as a warning which is why I chose this as the title.
3. Cauldron of Fear
Once again, the color black represents death and mourning. Macbeth was fearful of the consequences of killing Duncan and Banquo. Looking into the black cauldron showed his greatest fears. The warnings and prophecies said is that he is going to be killed by Macduff when the forest moves. I chose the title Cauldron of Fear because cauldrons are black and in the play, a cauldron told Macbeth his greatest fears. One prophecy given from the cauldron is, "(Enter) a show of eight kings, and Banquo last, (the eighth king) with a glass in his hand" (Act 4 Scene 1, page 201).
1 Overall Theme in Macbeth:
Theme- Guilt
1. Bright Weakness
The color yellow can be used to represent a weakness. In Macbeth, Macbeth was greedy and selfish which caused him to make poor decisions that he later regrets. Also, another weakness of Macbeth was that he was power-hungry and only cared about himself. The murderous actions committed frightened Macbeth and created a guilty conscience: "Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more" (Act 2 Scene 2, page 111). I chose this title for this color because yellow is a bright color and the meaning behind yellow is weakness.
2. Bloody Minds
The guilt and overwhelming thoughts from his guilty conscience caused Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to be paranoid. The blood was a reoccurring symbol for guilt in the play. Blood was a reminder of the murders committed and the gruesome deeds done. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth weren't able to wash away the blood, meaning that they weren't able to remove the guilt from their minds: "What need we fear who knows it, when none can call our power to account?--Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him" (Act 5 Scene 1, page 241). Bloody Minds is the title because the blood from Duncan and Banquo scarred Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.
3. Black Soul
Black Soul, the title, is used to describe guilt because guilt causes the mind to recall the wrongful deeds done. Committing treason by killing King Duncan created a guilty conscience. The color black is associated with death and power. Because of the ideas of power and greed, Macbeth committed a crime he later regrets. After the killing of Duncan, Macbeth is terrified and guilted by his conscience: "Be not lost so poorly in your thoughts" (Act 2 Scene 2, page 115). I chose the title, Black Soul, because Macbeth's mind was consumed by the deaths and blood of Duncan and Banquo.
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