“Macbeth cut him through from navel to jaws, and then placed his head upon our battlements,”(1.2.2). said a captain, describing how dangerous it was in battle, and shows that this is going to be a violent story. Macbeth is a Shakespearean play written for King James I, since King James was an English king Shakespeare had to write poorly about the Scottish and make them look bad. It is a story about a Scottish man who really wanted to become King of Scotland, so he and his wife create a plan to kill King Duncan and he does it, then he lives a short life of guilt and fear. The blood and hands motif had the most impact on Macbeth, evident by the remorse and guilt from murder, the amount of killing, the way multiple people became king of Scotland. …show more content…
I can't go back there. I am afraid to think about what I have done; I dare not look at it again,” (2.25). This shows the guilt he felt immediately after murdering King Duncan, it also foreshadows more guilt to come. “After all this washing, there is still a spot,” (5.1.78). This shows that no matter how hard she tries, Lady Macbeth still has the guilt from the blood on her hands even while sleepwalking. You cannot say I did it! Never shake your bloody head at me,” (3.4.49). This shows that he is feeling so much guilt that he is seeing ghosts of the people he killed (specifically Banquo) and everyone thinks he is crazy. Additionally, the blood and hands motif had the most impact on Macbeth because the whole story was set around murder. “Macbeth cut him through from navel to jaws, and then placed his head upon our battlements,” (1.2.2). This kinda foreshadows that the rest of the play will be violent. “Yes, my Lord. Dead in a ditch, he lies. With twenty gashes in his head, the least of which would have killed him,” (3.4.46). This shows more violence and how brutally Banquo was murdered. The “Hail, King” – a sassy! Behold this, the tyrant’s cursed head,” (5.8.93). This shows that after Macbeth was beheaded they took his head and showed it off. This play started and ended with violence, it was centered around violence. Thirdly, the blood and hands motif had
Macbeth is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare that follows the footsteps of an evil tyrant who will accomplish whatever he must in order to maintain his power. Throughout this play, Shakespeare uses many different motifs that help shape the themes in numerous ways. A motif is a reoccurring image, word, structure, phrase, object, idea, or action in a work of literature. Throughout this play there are many motifs such as sleep, violence, hallucinations, and blood. Blood is shown throughout
Lady Macbeth suffered from many consequences as she chose to be involved with Duncan’s death. Lady Macbeth hallucinates because of the blood that is on her hands. “What, will these hands ne’er be clean?” This line indicates the guilt of killing King Duncan has not settled with Lady Macbeth. When she sleepwalks, she sees a hallucination of bloody spots on her hands; ‘Yet here’s a spot’ (5.131). By rubbing her hands, she tries to wash away the guilt and free herself from from feeling guilty but is
In Macbeth, as with all of plays, often are trying to make a point about the human psyche and how different people react differently to different situations. Macbeth, being a tragedy, deals with these ideas, but uses certain techniques to help the audience better sympathise, and to better show Macbeth’s dark descent downwards. Guilt, ambition and the influence of the supernatural all use an array of techniques to help the audience fully understand the concepts and messages Shakespeare was trying
Throughout Macbeth we see how persuasion can change a person and make them do things they would never imagine themselves doing. Lady Macbeth becomes very power hungry and persuades him to take out potential kings including his own family. After many deaths who is to blame? Lady Macbeth? Macbeth? The Witches? After all is said and done guilt takes over both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Persuasion and Guilt are two things that Macbeth cannot hide from no matter how hard he tries. Does Macbeth regret his
Analysis of how Blood Develops the Theme of Endless Guilt in "Macbeth" In literature, nothing conveys elaborate ideas as well as symbolism. It provides depth and communicate powerful messages to the audience, often acting as a physical representation of a concept or theme. In William Shakespeare 's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," symbols are used constantly, with one of the most significant being the symbol of blood. This literary device is used to symbolize guilt, and so plays a major role in developing
William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth has a few main themes, one of which is role reversal. Macbeth is portrayed as a strong, fierce, and trustworthy soldier. At this stage in the story he had a conscience, and had a boundary between good and bad. However, Lady Macbeth is depicted as a devious and an extreme organizer, without a good sense of what is right and wrong. She would do anything in order to obtain supreme authority. Gradually they both change their views of power, treatment of one another
In the play of “Macbeth”, Shakespeare gradually and effectively deepens our understanding of the themes and most importantly the relationship between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The main theme of Macbeth is ambition, and how it compels the main characters to pursue it. The antagonists of the play are the three witches, who symbolise the theme appearance and reality. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s relation is an irony throughout the play, as most of their relation is based on greed and power. This is different
compares the guilt used in the novel Great Expectations by Charles Dickens and the novel Macbeth by William Shakespeare. The theme of guilt is apparent and a major part of Great Expectations and Macbeth but, the way the author applies these themes are vastly divergent. In Macbeth, Macbeth suffers more from guilt compared to Pip, since in Macbeth, Macbeth suffers hallucinations, and ultimately the death of Lady Macbeth. In great expectation, Pip's dues are paid and dos do not suffer any real consequence
Macbeth Essay Imagery is the use of symbols to convey an idea, to help us better understand the play or to create a specific mood for the audience. Shakespeare uses imagery in Macbeth often, the most common one used; is blood. This specific word is significant because he uses the word creatively to help with the development of the character Macbeth and the unfortunate events that occur in the play. The first mention of blood seems to establish a sense of honor. The second mention of blood is used
Imagery and Symbolism in Macbeth With its eye-opening plot and interesting cast of characters, William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth is one of the greatest works one could ever read. But, above all, the aspect of the play is most impressive and overwhelming with imagery and symbolism that Shakespeare so brilliantly uses. Throughout the play, the author depicts various types of imagery and symbolism instances that, eventually, lead to the downfall of the main character, Macbeth. Instances of imagery
people to feel like they are apart of the story but certain words like “blood” hold more power over others. Shakespeare uses the word blood to deliver a message about karma in three phases. In the first phase of darkness he shows how a simple word can change the whole mood of the scene by adding in some mysterious factors. He then moves onto the second phase by introducing all the drama. He dramatizes the play by using the word blood in certain phrases so the person can create an image in their mind.
of Guilt in Macbeth is described and portrayed through the two main characters Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The feeling of guilt effects the way that these characters act in response to certain situations and problems and will ultimately lead to their death. Shakespeare writes this play as if to show how the effects of guilt change Macbeth from a war hero to a hated tyrant, and consequently Lady Macbeth’s down ward spiral to madness. In the play “Macbeth” the characters are examples of how Guilt may
choose his or her 's actions and generally face several internal conflicts whether it be debating how it affects oneself, or how it affects the people around him or her. Unlike the villains of Shakespeare 's plays, Macbeth can never fully face his actions. When first introduced to Macbeth in the battle the impression is that he is a brave and a capable warrior; however, when it comes to the scene when Macbeth interacts with the three witches it can be interpreted that he is burdened with self-doubt but
amplify theme in Macbeth by William Shakespeare. It portrays many different themes in the play. Imagery is used in many different ways, such as blood, animals and, light and dark. Blood plays a significant role in this play and there is a lot of blood being shed, giving us a sense of horror and guilt. Macbeth makes his first kill after killing Duncan and he is freaking out about the blood on his hands. “ Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No: this my hand will rather The
increase interest to those who watch or read the plays. Blood imagery is essential to Macbeth; it portrays guilt for various reasons, regret and remorse and the evil thoughts of characters, can all be observed through blood imagery. Blood imagery signifies all the emotions and thoughts of the characters in Macbeth, proving that we must think before we act. The play Macbeth incorporates blood imagery to represent the guilt of crimes done by Macbeth and his wife. It provides a deeper understanding, of