The Symbol of Blood in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

The Symbol of Blood in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

Macbeth had many symbols, which were linked to the themes in the play.

One of the symbols would be blood, and the theme to follow through

with it is murder, and the dread associated with murder. A lot of the

scenes in the play, involving killing, have blood stated. Blood is a

significant symbol, when connected to the theme of killing, and is

used as a foreshadowing device as well.

The first reference of blood is one of honor, and occurs when Duncan

sees the injured sergeant and says, "What bloody man is that?"(Act 1

Sc ii, line 1). This is symbolic of the brave fighter who has been

injured in a heroic battle for his country. In the next passage, in

which the sergeant says, "Which smok'd with bloody execution"(Act 1 Sc

ii, line 18), he is referring to Macbeth's braveness. After that,

Shakespeare exploits blood as a symbol, takes place in Act 2, when

Macbeth is preparing to kill Duncan. He imagines a dagger, a bloody

dagger at that, pointing towards Duncan's room. Macbeth describes it

"And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, which was not so

before...It is the bloody business which now informs thus to mine

eyes." (Act 2, Scene ii, 55-58). In this scene, the blood foreshadows,

that Macbeth is about to kill Duncan. It also reflects on his state of

mind, where he fears of killing Duncan, because his mind is playing

tricks on him. Shakespeare most likely put this in as premonition of

murder and death to come later in the play.

Another example of bloods use as a symbol was Act 2, Scene ii. The

symbol of blood was now used to show deceit and betrayal. Lady Macbeth

starts this off...

... middle of paper ...

... army. He and Macduff confront and battle. In Act 5

Scene viii,

Macbeth says "...my soul is too much charged with blood of thine

already." And Macduff replies and says, "I have no words. My voice is

my is in my sword, thou bloodier villain..." Macbeth was saying how he

has done so much bloodshed that he doesn't mind it anymore, and he has

no fear of it.

Throughout the whole play, Shakespeare's use of blood and its

symbolization, to guilt and foreshadowing was wonderfully done. In

general, when we think of blood, we imagine injury, death and it being

a vital part of life. In the play it was used as a sign of guilt and

deceit, which killed the souls of Macbeth and lady Macbeth. It was

also used as a foreshadowing scheme. From this essay you will see that

there are many connections with blood and what it symbolizes.