Throughout Macbeth, numerous symbols are used to portray characters’ actions, their appearances and emotions, though there are many symbols through out Macbeth, one that Shakespeare uses frequently is blood. Blood is everywhere in Macbeth, beginning with the battle between the Scots and Norwegian intruders in act one. Here blood symbolizes courage and bravery of those who fought and were heroic. As the play continues blood becomes to symbolize something entirely different. Throughout the play Macbeth and Lady Macbeth get caught up in their own evil desires of becoming king and queen and find themselves covering up one bloody murder with another.
Act 3, Scene 4 Macbeth says “It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood.” Macbeth says this after being enraged with seeing Banquo’s ghost, but the only way he knows how to retaliate is by killing more people. Here he is also saying those involved in bloody crimes will eventually be victims of them. Blood has become evil and something to be feared. Towards the end of the play blood comes to symbolize their guilt. Macbeth asks “Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood clean from my hands?” and though Lady Macbeth scolds him at first for being such a coward, later on she too is haunted with the dream of blood on her hands which she can not wash away, saying “Out damned spot; out I say”, as she is sleep walking throughout the halls. Blood symbolizes the guilt that stains their conscience and haunts their dreams until their death..
The Essay on Darkness And Blood Macbeth Imagery Play
... of Banquo and Lady Macbeth's sleep walking. Darkness symbolizes many things such as evil and death in the play. Thus is evident when ... the products of imagination. In the play Macbeth Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness and blood. Each detail in his imagery ... she is having troubles with her guilt. Also through the blood Macbeth convinces himself to commit the crimes and continue to ...
