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“A falcon towering in her pride of place was by a mousing owl hawkd at and killed”

Falcon = Duncan (magnificent, grand, powerful,. Elegant)

Owl – Macbeth (associated with the night, evil, devious)

 

“Duncan’s horses..they eat each other”. This quote shows the absolute rebellion and subversion of nature on the death of Duncan. The horses cannibalism that has ensued is grotesque, deeply disturbing and entirely unnatural – highlights the nature of Macbeth’s acts. Nature’s rebellion also hints at the extreme unnaturalness of Macbeth’s deeds. It is a significant, grotesque, shocking image. It also highlights the destruction that has occurred and perhaps could be interpreted as a bad omen of the destruction that is to ensue.

Macbeth asking Banquo: “Goes Fleance with you?” shows that Macbeth is being consumed quickly by evil as he is plotting to ensure that Banquo and Fleance are killed so that he retains the throne. This question occurs very soon after he has gained the throne. This also shows that ambition and power corrupts – Macbeth holds the most powerful title but is still not satisfied.

“fruitless crown and barren sceptre” – contrast between great things “crown” and “sceptre” which are symbols of power which are contrasted with “fruitless” and “barren” which both suggest being powerless and empty. Perhaps this highlights Macbeth’s fate –the things he saw as being powerful and rich have actually led to an empty life in which he is vulnerable and weak. His life does not give birth to things. Also this furthers the idea that Shakespeare introduces regularly that Macbeth is concerned with the unnatural - both supernatural and unnatural in the sense of going against what is right and normal.