Use of Imagery in Macbeth In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses many forms of imagery, including forms of clothing and darkness. Every detail in his images contains an important symbol of the work. These symbols must be understood if one is to understand the passage containing it or the work as a whole. In Macbeth, the imagery of clothing is used to suggest that throughout the play, Macbeth is trying to hide his "shameful self." from his eyes and those of others. Shakespeare wants to keep alive the ironic contrast between the miserable creature that Macbeth really is and the disguises he takes on to hide it. Second, honors are thought of as garments to be worn; similarly Macbeth is constantly represented symbolically as wearing clothes that are not his. He wears an “undeserved dignity.” A crucial point in describing the purpose of the clothes in "Macbeth" is found in the fact that these are not his clothes. Therefore Macbeth is uncomfortable in them because he is continually aware of the fact that they do not belong to him. In the following passage the idea constantly recurs that Macbeth's new honors are ill-fitting to him, like a loose, ill-fitting garment belonging to someone else: New honors come upon him, like our strange clothes, they do not stick to their form, but with the help of use.(1.3.144)The second, most important chain of images used to add atmosphere is that of darkness. In a Shakespearean tragedy, a special tone, or atmosphere, must be created to show its darkness and blackness. In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the design of the witches, the guilt in Macbeth's soul, and the darkness of the night to create the atmosphere. The most extraordinary scenes take place at night or in some dark place. For example, the vision of the dagger, the murder of Duncan, the murder of Banquo, and Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking all occur at night. Darkness is when the traveler hurries to safety at his inn, when Banquo rides home to meet his killers. Furthermore, it is the time when the wolf howls, the owl screams and the killer goes to work. Darkness symbolizes many things. First and foremost, it represents death and evil in the work. The darkness could partially block all the horrible things that happen during the night.