How Is Weather Used In Macbeth

Predictions in the Weather

Motifs, such as blood and animals, were used very commonly in Macbeth to enhance different elements of the story. One motif that stood out was the use of weather in reflecting the tone and hinting at different situations.

The weather, most commonly in the form of violent storms, is used to signify darkness and chaos that is occurring throughout the story. The first time that storms are used is at the beginning of the story when Macbeth is being praised for his actions in battle. The sergeant described the scene, “As whence the sun 'gins his reflection Shipwrecking storms and direful thunders break,” (Shakespeare lines 44-45). In this case he was the savior who helped them in the difficult battle. His goodness broke through the storm that plagued them. The next time weather is used in relation to Macbeth, the darkness is tied to his actions. When he snuck into King Duncan’s room to murder him, the weather is described as being stormy. Lennox described the violence of the storm the next morning in which there was, “Lamentings heard i' the air; strange screams of death, And prophesying with accents terrible Of dire combustion and confused event,” (lines 825-828). This not only described the mood, but also served to predict King Duncan’s body being discovered.

There were other cases in which the weather was also used to

In a simpler way, it acted as a representation of the darkness of the acts committed and added mystery to some unseen events. In a more complex way, it tied together various scenes in an obvious way that emphasized the most important parts of the story. It framed Macbeth’s transformation from being adored to feared and hated, and then into how he would ultimately die. The hints at the looming events also helped smooth the transition between the