Photo Essay: Macbeth Noir

1.

"And oftentimes, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths, win us honest trifles, to betray's in deepest consequence" (Act 1 Scene 3, page 69).

This quote represents how Macbeth chose to allow the prophecy dictate his actions. The idea of becoming king made him power-hungry and greedy. They leaves in this picture represent your mind and your own actions. The darkness and other set of leaves represent other influences on your actions.

2.

"There's no art to find the mind's construction in the face" (Act 1 Scene 4, page 73).

In this scene, the former Thane of Cawdor was just accused of treason because he helped England during a battle. The idea of manipulation and that things are not as they seem are common themes throughout this play.

3.

"We fail? But screw your courage to the sticking-place" (Act 1 Scene 7, page 95).

In this scene, Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth that he doesn't want to proceed with the plan to kill King Duncan. Lady Macbeth challenges his manhood and tells him to be more courageous like a man.

4.

"My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white" (Act 2 Scene 2, page 113).

Lady Macbeth puts the daggers in the Chamberlains' hands to frame them for the murder of King Duncan. She is guilted by the blood on her hands, making her pale or white with fear.

5.

"Where we are, there's daggers in men's smiles" (Act 2 Scene 3, page 133).

Malcom and Donalbain, the two sons of King Duncan, are afraid that they are the next to be killed, should they stay in Scotland. They flee Scotland because people are power-hungry and would kill for the crown. Also, people are hiding secrets, which involve the murder of their father.

6.

"Better be with the dead, whom we, to gain our peace, have sent to peace, than on torture of the mind to lie in restless ecstasy" (Act 3 Scene 2, page 157).

The burden of a guilty conscience can cause insomnia and other mental illnesses. So, as Macbeth said, sometimes, being dead is better than being alive with a guilty conscience because of the burden on the mind. This is a metaphor because the flower represents the dead. Even though death is normally perceived as a tragic event, when you have a guilty conscience, sometimes, death seems like a better option than life. The colors play a huge role in this metaphor because this is taken in the perspective of someone who has a guilty conscience.

7.

Rebellious dead, rise never till the wood of Birnam rise, and our high-placed Macbeth shall live the lease of nature, pay his breath to time and mortal custom" (Act 4 Scene 1, page 199).

Macbeth's paranoia went away after the three witches told him that he would not be killed until the Birnam woods moved. Since this idea seems outlandish and supernatural, Macbeth's fear was gone.

8.

"I cannot remember such things were that were most precious to me" (Act 4 Scene 3, page 237).

Macduff had just discovered that Macbeth killed his wife and children. He is grieving inside but cannot display it because he is supposed to act like a man. Macduff cannot remember a time where he cherished his loved ones. This picture is a metaphor; the dark representing his family and how he is grieving.

9.

"Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more" (Act 5 Scene 5, page 265).

Macbeth had just found out that his wife, Lady Macbeth had committed suicide. He admits that life seems pointless because he is unable to sleep due to a guilty conscience and his wife died. Bad things kept happening because of one poor decision based on greed and power.