How Does Shakespeare Use The Word Hand In Macbeth

The Word of Many Hats Ten fingers, two hands, and ultimately one decision made in the end. William Shakespeare digs deep in his famous play, Macbeth. Underneath the simple story, Shakespeare reveals much more. Through the evolution and differentiation of the word hand, a multitude of themes are revealed. As the story of Macbeth is told, the human hand is used to symbolize acts of loyalty, lust for power, and relentless guilt. Shakespeare uses the word hand excessively to show just how much of an impact hands can have on one’s life. The Hand. Hand is a word that recurs through William Shakespeare’s well known play, Macbeth. It is first introduced in Act I of scene two by the Captain. The connotation of the word hand in Act I is loyalty. “Give me your hand” (1.6. 28). King Duncan says this to Lady Macbeth, as he trusts her to lead him to his host. This shows the loyalty of people to the king. There is irony when King Duncan takes the hand that will soon be the sign of guilt and blood for his demise. “Your hand, your tongue: look like th’ innocent flower” (1.5. 64). Lady Macbeth says this, for the king

The hand now becomes a physical tool for murder when Macbeth kills King Duncan. Macbeth was able to wash the blood from his hands, but Lady Macbeth knew that wouldn’t erase the gruesome act. “My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white” (2.2.63-64). Lady Macbeth says this because their hands appear to be the same on the outside, but the true paleness of sin and guilt are reflected within. Lady Macbeth is ashamed because of how weak and pale Macbeth's heart is. After murdering Duncan, a large amount of guilt and shame was placed on Macbeth’s shoulders. Act 2 displays the hand as blood wretched weapons that can be physically cleaned, but the stain remains on the soul and in the heart of Macbeth. As the play continues, so does the evolution of the role the human