A lesser-explored element of Macbeth’s imagery, plants are a recurring motif in Shakespeare’s tragedy. Viewed through a biblical lens, the play’s flowers and forests are metaphors for growth, deception, power, destiny, and downfall.
The first mention of seeds and plants in the play comes from Banquo who connects them with the witches. He says, “If you can look into the seeds of time, / And say which grain will grow and which will not, / Speak then to me.” Banquo looks to the wtiches for definitive judgment. The power to predict what happens with a seed equals the power to predict the future. Of course, both Macbeth and Banquo receive prophecies. One turns out more like a tree, the other more like a thorn. The fascination with definitive judgment and an impatience to know the fulfill the future’s promise looms over the entire play. The pertinent biblical passage comes from Galatians, where Paul gives a causal argument for how the righteous prosper: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” This is surely true of Macbeth.
When King Duncan first sees Macbeth, he describes their relationship as a gardener and a plant: “I have begun to plant thee, and will labour / To make thee full of growing.” Duncan takes the responsibility of cultivating Macbeth’s power. He wants to see Macbeth reach his potential. A tree, of course, is a source of protection and shade. At this point, Macbeth has already protected Duncan from rebels. But Duncan’s line could point to Macbeth’s youth. The pertinent biblical passage here is Psalm 1:3 which talks about the righteous man as a flourishing tree: “He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither– whatever he does prospers.” Though Macbeth is an accomplished warrior, he may not have reached full maturity in his leadership ability. Duncan pledges to help Macbeth flourish.
When Lady Macbeth urges her husband to kill Duncan, she uses imagery from Genesis: “Look like the innocent flower, / But be the serpent under.” The simile is particularly potent because it collapses the tempter and tempted. Macbeth is like Adam falling into temptation, but Lady Macbeth wants him to imagine that he’s the deceiving serpent.
Of course, the most famous tree imagery in the play involves Birnam Wood. The apparition in Act 4 holds a tree in its hand, and Macbeth hears that he will be king until Birnam Wood moves to Dunsinaine. The link between Macbeth’s fate and nature signals that his downfall will directly result from his sin. In his arrogance, Macbeth refuses to believe that trees can uproot themselves. He has claimed authority and the responsibility of judgment before his time. Now, he refuses to believe that he can fall.
Just as Christ redeems us through the power of a tree–the cross–so too do Malcolm and his soldiers rescue Scotland from the tyrant Macbeth, symbolizing the restoration of the natural order. The imagery comes full circle here, reminding us of the biblical promise of restoration and new life, even after the harshest falls.
In conclusion, the plant imagery in Macbeth resonates deeply with biblical narratives of sin, redemption, and restoration. Through this imagery, Shakespeare reminds us of humanity’s potential for immense glory and profound downfall.
Experiments in Criticism 