What Does Blood Symbolize In Macbeth

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In literature as in life, blood is not only in the body, but symbolizes many other things. The play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare describes the life of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how they become ruthless killers. They are determined to get power and will not stop until Macbeth and his sons are kings. Throughout the Macbeth by Shakespeare, blood is a prominent symbol and represents murder, guilt, and the difference between characters. Blood represents murder when Macbeth returns from war and when Duncan’s guards are killed. Also, blood represents the guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth after the murder of Duncan. Moreover, the difference between Duncan and Lady Macbeth is represented by blood. Altogether, blood symbolizes murder, guilt, and …show more content…

Towards the beginning of the play, Macbeth returns from his heroic battle against Macdonwald. Macbeth took Macdonwald’s head and placed it on a stake. When Macbeth enters, Duncan says, “What bloody man is that?” (1.2.1). After the battle, Macbeth is described as being bloody because of his appearance. In this part, blood represents the murder of Macdonwald at the hands of Macbeth. Another incident where blood represents murder is when Duncan’s guards are killed. Lennox believes that the guards killed Duncan and observes, “Their hands and faces were all badged with blood” (2.3.120). These guards are another victim of Macbeth and are described as being covered with blood. This is a second example of when Shakespeare uses blood to symbolize murder. Overall, the murders of Macdonwald and the King’s guards are represented by …show more content…

When Lady Macbeth is attempting to gather strength to carry out the murder she describes her blood. During her soliloquy, she says, “And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full / Of direst cruelty. Make thick my blood” (1.5.49-50). These lines show that the blood is a symbol of Lady Macbeth being evil. She desires to be cruel and to feel no remorse for the murder. Compared to Lady Macbeth, King Duncan’s blood is described extremely differently. While Macbeth is describing his reasoning for killing the guards, he says, “Here lay Duncan, / His silver skin laced with his golden blood” (2.3.130-131). Duncan’s blood is golden. This represents the good and kindness of Duncan. Lady Macbeth’s blood and Duncan’s blood are complete opposites and so are their characters. In conclusion, blood is used to symbolize characters, especially Lady Macbeth and Duncan, in the

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