What Does Blood Mean In Macbeth

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One of the most prominent symbols of guilt throughout Macbeth is blood. Blood is symbolic even in our culture today, representing life but also death, war, and guilt. This is true in Macbeth as well: there are many instances where a character is feeling that guilt tug at him or her, and it is communicated through blood. For example, after Macbeth kills King Duncan and his wife leaves to take care of the daggers, he begins to talk to himself. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” he says, “No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red” (2.2.57-60). This is one of the first instances where blood is connected to the guilt of Macbeth. Macbeth feels as though his crime has stained him, and it cannot be washed away. …show more content…

Another instance where Macbeth is connected to blood is following the banquet that he held. While at the banquet, the ghost of Banquo, who was killed just hours earlier, appears to Macbeth. He talks to the ghost, not knowing he is the only one who can see it. After Lady Macbeth assures the guests that Macbeth isn't feeling well, the two have a conversation in which Macbeth says “I am in blood / Stepped in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go o’er” (3.4.136-138). Here, too, the blood symbolizes his guilt - guilt that he has so much of, it would be as much work to get rid of it as it was executing his actions in the first place. In the last scene of the play, there is one more important quote that connects Macbeth’s guilt to blood. As the battle is coming to a close, Macduff approaches Macbeth, ready to fight. Macbeth sees him and says, “Of all men else I have avoided thee. / But get thee back. My soul is too much charged / With blood of thine already”

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