Why Is Blood Important In Macbeth

Blood is the main component of most living things, being a necessity for their existence. Although, in some cases, blood is not always seen for its benefits since it is also the product of destruction, wars, and death. Macbeth, a play by William Shakespeare, a thane of Scotland named Macbeth receives a prophecy that tells him that he will be king one day, leading him down a path that involves the death of many. Blood becomes the product of his actions as he tries to attain that which was told to him in the prophecy. In the play Macbeth, the constant presence of blood illustrates the change in Macbeth’s character as he goes from being a loyal soldier to a murderer that is hungry for power but is overcome with guilt for his actions. Through Macbeth’s guilt, it conveys that even though a physical scar can heal and disappear, the mental one never fades.

Macbeth, as seen from the very beginning of the play, has always been a

This path starts off with the initial killing of King Duncan. Even before he goes to commit the act, Macbeth tells of a ghostly dagger floating before him “and, on thy blade and dudgeon, gouts of blood, / Which was not so before... / It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes” (2.1.58-61). Macbeth refers to the treacherous act he is going to commit as the bloody business, making it known that he knows what he is about to do is treason. In this, he already feels guilt for what he is about to do, but it truly resonates with him once he starts washing his hands clean of Duncan’s blood that stained his hands in the act. He speaks, asking whether “all great Neptune’s ocean [will] wash this blood / Clean from my hand?” (2.2.78-79). His guilt for killing Duncan continues, building up as he becomes king and kills more people out paranoia for his deeds being