Imagery of Snakes in Macbeth Essay - 887 Words

In the biblical book of Genesis, Eve is tempted by a serpent to commit an ungodly act of eating a forbidden fruit. As a result of the snakes temptation, Eve eats the fruit, resulting in the presence of worldwide sin and the downfall of perfection. From this story of Adam and Eve, the figure of the snake has become generally associated with temptation, evil, and cynicism. William Shakespeare employs this symbolic imagery of snakes in Macbeth, to enhance the story of the rise and fall of Macbeths power. For poetic and playwright purposes, Shakespeare uses serpentine imagery to reveal the malevolence of characters, and portray the threatening position of the throne, all while provoking a heightened emotion of fear and tragedy from the†¦show more content†¦This struggle of loyalty vs. ambition correlates with Eves biting of the fruit, which instantaneously fills her with sin. Eves ambition was to obtain knowledge of the world, yet in order to achieve it, she was forced to g o against her God. In Macbeth, Lady Macbeths incentive is power, which in this case would be a seat on the throne. In both cases, evil is a required side effect to gain their desired qualities. And this evil desire approaches both characters in the form of a serpent. Following Lady Macbeths unsexing, the most descriptive use of serpentine imagery is revealed. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan. By doing so, she uses a metaphor of a snake to portray the Macbeths future evil actions. To beguile the time, Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye, Your hand, your tongue: look like th innocent flower, But be the serpent undert. (1.5.64-67). This simile is very similar to the clichà © snake in the grass, which implies a stealthily treacherous and surprise action. In this passage, Lady Macbeth explains that in order to succeed, they must act normal around their guests, and conceal their evil desires. The snake thus represents Macbeths hidden ambition, and more literally, Lady Macbeths plan of action. However, the serpent, to which Lady Macbeth metaphorically speaks of in act one scene five, is not only these evil desires of Macbeth. It also represents the threat that Macbeth possesses to Duncan.Show MoreRelated Macbeth: Serpentine Imagery Essay825 Words   |  4 Pages The snake has long been used as a symbol of sly subtlety. A serpent’s presence has been characterized by cunning cynicism dating as far back as biblical times, when the snake persuaded Eve to eat the forbidden fruit of Eden’s garden. Even the phrase â€Å"snake in the grass† expresses latency. Shakespeare uses this treacherous reptile in Macbeth to convey the same evil. 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