How Does Shakespeare Use Animal Tendencies In Macbeth

Human Nature Through Animalistic Tendencies in Shakespeare’s Macbeth Insecurity is when one is unaware of their own worth, it causes a thirst for an empty power leading one down a path of paranoia, dishonor and destruction. This is true for the character Macbeth in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. Macbeth is ignorant of his own self-worth and power. Consequently, he experiences a hunger for power that cannot be truly fulfilled. Furthermore, Macbeth's own self destruction leads him to his ultimate demise. Therefore, in William Shakespeare's Macbeth Shakespeare uses animal imagery to convey that often when one is insecure they break down internally, forcing them to strive for a greater power in order to fulfill their needs, causing them to

This does not allow Macbeth to know people's true intentions and feelings towards him. Incubating his flaw for a greater admiration. For this instance, Macbeth realizes the darkness he has within him, shown through the comparison of animal imagery to himself. Macbeth lies to himself to make him feel as great as everyone believes him to be, “There are the grown serpent lies.” (3.4.30) Clearly Macbeth is compared to a snake, a person of lying qualities with no real human tendencies, like compassion or regret. He is paralleled to an animal commonly considered to be unpleasant, he has snake like qualities that only he knows he has. His true inner flaw is his inability to be secure in any position he has, as king he wants to hide this quality to be seen as divine and powerful. Masking his flaw gives him the qualities of a serpent. During which Macbeth is facing his inner battle of whether or not he should kill King Duncan; a man who thought very highly of Macbeth. He masks his own snakeskin under the face of honor. Macbeth's appraisal of himself causes this masking of his inner demonic intentions. Ultimately, Macbeth's own self torment is unmasked

Macbeth's insecurity of himself causes him to thrive to be a greater man. After Macbeth breaks the chain of kings by killing Duncan, Macbeth gains the throne, during which an old man speaks of Macbeth's worthiness comparing him to “A falcon, tow'ring in her pride of place/Was by a moussing owl hawked at and killed.” (2.4.12-13). The symbolism of a falcon suggests heroism, but the old man compares that falcon to a “moussing owl”, an animal squandering for something to kill. In Macbeth's situation Macbeth is wanting to be that prideful animal, but he is seen by the public as a person desperately trying to be important, recognized by his overwhelming pride in greatness. He is no longer seen as the “falcon” by anyone, as his true intention and weaknesses are revealed through the use of this comparison. Those who gave him high honors before are no longer seeing the greatness that was once there before, but the greatness that he is failing to revive. He is now seen clearly as the snake under his own mask. Equally, the imagery of crows and darkness replicates the emptiness Macbeth is trying so hard to fulfill. As Macbeth is surrendered to the evil that has succumb him, Macbeth sees that “Light thickens, and the crow/Makes wing to th' rooky wood.” (3.2.52-53) Openly, Macbeth has gone so deeply into his own paranoia about the damages he has caused to himself and the country around him that everything that