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

must be greeted with welcoming expressions of respect. The hand is a symbol of justice and respect towards Duncan and Scotland. This loyalty and respect of the hand soon change as the play's plot continues to evolve.
In Act II of Macbeth, the hand becomes a reoccurring motif.

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

hand.
Hand is referenced many times throughout all five acts of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. In some instances, the hand literally means hand, or the end of a person’s arm beyond the wrist, including the fingers, and thumb. “And with thy bloody and invisible hand” (3.2.48). Other times hand is used as an active role in achieving or influencing something critical. Sometimes, the hand stands for time. For example, “Cousins I hope the days are near at hand; That chambers will be safe” (5.4.1-2). This is when they are marching into the battle. It foreshadows that something is close in time or about to happen. The hand is also commonly used to symbolize power during the play. Power first lies in the hand of Duncan and then shifts to the hands of Macbeth.
“The first firstlings of my heart shall be the firstlings of my hand” (4.1.147-148). Macbeth is saying that his first feelings from his heart will be the first actions from his hand. He wonders how to handle Macduff fleeing to England. Here, he is discussing with Lennox after a discussion with the witches. This quote is a reference of how Macbeth will physically use his hands to act out the feelings inside his heart. The hand again circles back around to being a physical tool used to carry out the action ignited by the heart.
The word hand has several meanings throughout the entirety of the play, Macbeth. The symbolism of loyalty, power, and most of all guilt, stand in the forefront. The word goes hand in hand with the overall theme of the play, thou shalt not kill. Along with this, it shows the character development of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth while advancing the plot of the play. In the end, the hands are what cause the defeat of both characters. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth could not keep their hands loyal to the King. Their hands were filled with the greed of power. This led to their hands being stained with a blood that could never be cleansed of the deep stain within. Ultimately, both characters met their fate after their inability to deal with the actions carried out with their own two hands.