Blood Imagery in Macbeth

585 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Lady macbeths disloyalty

When reading Macbeth, one might notice the repeated use of the word blood. While it might be thought that this is due to the violent nature of the play, it actually signifies a loss of innocence. This is demonstrated through the treacherous deeds of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and Shakespeare’s reoccurring theme of the corruptibility of the human mind. By examining these, it can be determined that Shakespeare’s use of blood represents a loss of innocence. Shakespeare demonstrates a loss of innocence, in particular through the treacherous deeds of the Macbeths. In the beginning of the play, Macbeth is described as a brave and noble hero. However, after the witches’ prophecy, his ambition to become king takes over. The first major act of treachery by the Macbeths is the murder of Duncan. After the murder, Lady Macbeth tells Macbeth to “wash this filthy witness from your hand” (page 45). The “filthy witness” is the blood of Duncan on his hands, which is symbolic of the evil deed. Lady Macbeth is telling him to wash it away to regain a look of innocence. Even though the bloo...

Show More
Related

  • Blood In Macbeth Essay

    937 Words  | 2 Pages

    There are several examples of characters expressing their guilt, and how blood can not be washed away; like their guilt can not be washed away. For instance, after killing King Duncan, Macbeth talks about how the blood on his hands will not wash away easily, stating “Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?”, supports this point. In act 3 scene 4, Macbeth also highlights this through "I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more” . Implying by killing King Duncan, he should submit to the guilt as he has literally and metaphorically steeped in blood, he can not return to his former self. Lady Macbeth shows her guilt when she delivers her soliloquy in act 5 scene 1 in which she states, “Out, damned spot!..”, this refers to when she smeared the blood all over the guards and planted the daggers. It also demonstrates the guilt she feels as she sees blood on her hands when there is not any, this is symbolic of her

    Read More

  • Unbridled Ambition in Shakespeare's Macbeth

    2198 Words  | 5 Pages

    While in Hamlet and others of Shakespeare's plays we feel that Shakespeare refined upon and brooded over his thoughts, Macbeth seems as if struck out at a heat and imagined from first to last with rapidity and power, and a subtlety of workmanship which has become instructive. The theme of the drama is the gradual ruin through yielding to evil within and evil without, of a man, who, though from the first tainted by base and ambitious thoughts, yet possessed elements in his nature of possible honor and loyalty. (792)

    Read More

  • Promoting Family Values in Macbeth

    2261 Words  | 5 Pages

    Of all of Shakespeare’s plays, Macbeth is the one most obsessively concerned with evil. It is dark, brooding and bloodthirsty; by way of illustration, the only function of the messenger to Lady MacDuff is to prepare the audience for bloodshed. Blood in itself is considered an evil image and it aids in character development, as seen in the description of Macbeth at the start. According to Duncan, gutting someone like a fish is worthy of praise such as “Oh valiant cousin, Oh worthy Gentleman!” To the people of the age, being able to kill someone with such skill is a good thing… of course, it does mean that Macbeth has the potential to snap. The evil imagery in the play also helps with the rising tension – the old man’s description of the horses devouring each other is a prime example of this.

    Read More

  • Blood In Macbeth Analysis

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    Why does the word blood have the power to evoke multiple feelings? Can a taste for blood actually cause someone to go down a terrible path of power and corruption? Some people do not agree with this while others believe that having a taste for blood will cause the person’s mind to become corrupt in the long run. This desire can continue to grow to the point of having no control over it. Blood can symbolize life or family depending on the situation. It can also symbolize love, anger, hate, violence, devastation, or death. One small taste of blood is all it takes for everything to become chaotic. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the symbol of blood is sufficiently used in exhibiting the overall theme of power and corruption.

    Read More

  • The Symbolism of Blood in Macbeth

    893 Words  | 2 Pages

    The seventeenth-century play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, employs blood as a powerful symbol to amplify the tragic nature of the work. Prior to, and immediately following Duncan’s death, blood magnifies the treachery of Macbeth’s murderous act. Throughout the play, blood constantly reminds the audience of the ruthless means the Macbeths implement to gain the crown. In the culmination of the play, blood symbolizes the irreconcilable guilt that will haunt the Macbeths for the duration of their lives. Blood’s ubiquitous symbolism emphasizes the constant guilt felt by the Macbeths in their tragic pursuit of the monarchy.

    Read More

  • Blood Motif in Macbeth

    620 Words  | 2 Pages

    In many contexts, blood symbolizes one’s heroism and power. At the battlegrounds, Duncan notices the approaching sergeant and asks, “What bloody man is that?”(I.ii.1). The use of blood signifies the captain’s bravery through his wounded state. He reports back their victory and symbolizes the violence that took place. This also alludes to Macbeth’s heroic qualities in which he too had fought on the same grounds. Lady Macbeth cries out for courage and strength by saying, “And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood” (I.v.49-50). The use of blood in this context also relates to one’s power using the idea of it being a life source and a vital part to the soul. By thickening her b...

    Read More

  • Theme of Guilt in Macbeth

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    As Lady Macbeth’s confidence begins to falter, the result from her vaulting ambition, guilt, is demonstrated through the figurative use of blood. In the beginning of Act 5, the Gentlewomen and Doctor are seen discussing the strange behavior of Lady Macbeth. When suddenly, Lady Macbeth proceeds on to the stage, while sleeping, and complains about the endless blood on her hands, “Here’s the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Ar...

    Read More

  • Theme Of Corruption In Macbeth

    829 Words  | 2 Pages

    The tone of Macbeth is dark and ominous and it is used to arouse feeling within the audience, which prognosticates the destruction to be brought upon by the protagonist’s immoral ambitions. The dialogue by Macbeth, “Blood will have blood,”(3, Ⅳ) stirs sinister feelings among the audience, which foreshadows the continuous bloodshed yet to happen due to him and Lady Macbeth in their attempt to further secure their dominance. When Hecate vows to ruin Macbeth, stating how “security/ Is mortals’ chiefest enemy,” the audience is indicated of the fatal end that awaits Macbeth’s excessive confidence and ambition. As Macbeth tells Lady Macbeth, “Sleep no more,” it indicates not only sleepless nights but its foreboding tone has a deeper meaning conveying the consequences that are expected for the sin he has committed. Thus, the tone of Macbeth was an effective literary device employed by Shakespeare to communicate this particular

    Read More

  • Imagery In Macbeth

    618 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s play, (if indeed he did write it) Macbeth is rife with killing, and is probably only second in bloodiness to his earlier play, Titus Andronicus. Not only is blood a key part of the plot for obvious reasons, it is also an example of imagery, representing several different symbols throughout the play. In the beginning, blood represents honor. Later, blood seems to show treachery. A the end of the play Shakespeare uses blood to show Macbeth’s guilt for all his evil and greedy acts.

    Read More

  • Use of Blood in Macbeth

    595 Words  | 2 Pages

    Imagery is the use of symbols to convey an idea or to create a specific atmosphere for the audience. Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth often, the most prevalent one, is blood. I believe he uses this as a way to convey guilt, murder, betrayal, treachery and evil, and to symbolize forewarning of events.

    Read More

  • Dramatic Use of Images of Blood in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

    1697 Words  | 4 Pages

    Macbeth's brutality ... ... middle of paper ... ... are conveys the theme of death, murder and treason through the imagery of blood effectively. Blood, being an important part of essential life, is a perfect metaphor for death and murder. It is an successful symbol and it is used well throughout the play.

    Read More

  • The Imagery Of Blood In Shakespeare's Macbeth

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    “.blood will have blood.” , Macbeth is a well known book written by Shakespeare. In it, a once loyal soldier to the king of Scotland starts to seek a way for him to get the crown for himself. In Macbeth, William Shakespeare uses the imagery of blood to represent the guilt of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth, demonstrating the feeling of guilt has consequences of severe punishments. The imagery of blood shows Lady Macbeth wants to get rid of her guilt.

    Read More

  • The Power of Blood in Macbeth

    1490 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are a variety of fluids in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth such as milk, water and blood. Milk quenches one’s thirst, whereas blood pours out of a person. Water is used to wash stains away, whereas blood can taint a person. The blood image is very potent throughout Macbeth and reinforces the major themes of bravery, guilt, and violence evoked by the three witches.

    Read More

  • The Symbol Of Blood In Macbeth

    1124 Words  | 3 Pages

    The Symbol Of Blood In Macbeth Blood is something that we need to live with. So it is clearly understood when Shakespeare uses the symbol of blood to represent murder, betrayal, and death, to show all of the evil that was going on. It is a symbol that was used the most in the play Macbeth, and has different meanings. One of the first references to blood represents a feeling of honour, and bravery. It is in Act I scene 2, line 1.

    Read More

  • Macbeth Ambition Analysis

    809 Words  | 2 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, first published in 1606, is an endearing tale outlining the dangers of unchecked ambition and moral betrayal. In the subsequent centuries after first being performed, Macbeth's critics have been divided upon whether Macbeth himself was irrevocably evil, or if he was guided by the manipulation and actions of the women in the play to his ultimate demise. Although Lady Macbeth and the witches were influential with their provocations in the opening acts, it is ultimately Macbeth’s inherent immorality and his vaulting ambition, that resulted in the tragic downfall. It was Macbeth’s desire for power that abolished his loyalty and trustworthiness and led him down a path of murder. It is evident through his actions and words throughout the play as to how he led himself through a path of betrayal leading to his inescapable demise.

    Read More

More about Blood Imagery in Macbeth

Open Document