Effects Of Murder In Macbeth

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Although they believe that they can handle the guilt that comes with murder, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth truly can’t. Shakespeare uses blood to represent the effects of committing murders and how they are displayed in the form of guilt and remorse. After his encounter with the witches, Macbeth will do anything in order to become the King. When he realizes that he must kill Duncan, he doesn’t hesitate, and comes up with a plan. He never foresaw the consequences. The guilt of the murder immediately affects Macbeth more than he would have ever thought. Right away, Macbeth questions if “all great Neptune’s ocean [will] wash this blood… Clean from my hand”. Macbeth’s unshakable guilt is shown in his belief that the blood on his hands will never wash away – not even from the …show more content…

The murder makes Macbeth feel that his future will now be scarred by blood, and ruined by guilt. Later in the play, Macbeth decides that in order to further solidify his crown, his longtime friend Banquo must die. This time Macbeth sends men to murder him, unlike when he murdered Duncan himself. Maybe Macbeth thought this would prevent the dreadful guilt and remorse he had previously felt, but it did not. After the murder, later in the night, Macbeth sees a “blood-bolter’d Banquo smil[ing] upon [him]”. The blood imagery returns, again being utilized as a reminder of Macbeth’s terrible acts and a portrayal of guilt. Because he didn’t witness Banquo’s murder, Macbeth sees what he imagines Banquo looked like at the time of his death. He can’t stop thinking about what he’s done to his longtime friend, and his guilt manifests itself as a taunting, bloody ghost of Banquo. Macbeth sees numerous versions of a bloody Banquo, showing that blood is used to represent his guilt towards murdering his good friend, and also a reminder of how much blood he has shed and how it will never go

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