Often times in literature, the imagery of health and sickness of various characters can give understanding to the plays theme and ideas. Such is the case with Shakespeare's Macbeth. Throughout the play, the imagery of health, or lack of health, of many characters reveals the true mindset of the central character, Macbeth. Also, imagery of health and sickness are used to build the story line during the course of the play. In these ways, health and sickness are a subtle, but vital, piece of the play, providing valuable insight that might not otherwise be seen.

Perhaps the first valuable insight that health and sickness is able to provide in Macbeth occurs when Duncan is finished talking to the wounded Sergeant. Duncan says, "So well thy words become thee as thy wounds. They smack of honor both. Go get him surgeons." (Act I, S II, lines 42-43) In this...