Imagery is any piece of language that makes the reader form a mental picture or image. Shakespeare's plays are always interesting for the richness of their imagery, and Macbeth in particular has numerous vivid examples. Macbeth is also particularly rich in repeated images. Shakespeare returns again and again to an idea that he has introduced. One major repeated image of the play is Blood. Also, the meaning of the image of blood changes throughout the play from first being associated with honor and changes to the murder of Duncan and guilt, then evil, and then finally back to its original meaning.

In Macbeth there are more then 100 references to blood in the play. This emphasizes the violent and dark nature of the murders and of the play in general, and it also shows Macbeth's own character. At first blood is associated with honor and with Macbeth's bravery in battle. "...with his brandished steel that smoked with bloody execution..." (I.ii.18-19). This is how things normal are at the time of Macbeth; blood is usually connected with battle bravery and honor.

Later on, after Macbeth kills Duncan, the meaning of blood begins to change. In Ac

After Macbeth is slain, the symbolic theme of blood swings back to what it was at the beginning of the play. Macduff presents Macbeth's bloody head to the crowd and to the new King of Scotland, Malcom, and the people rejoice. The death of Macbeth is honored and the symbolism of blood has returned to it's original meaning; the bloodiest are the ones most honored. Macduff is congratulated as he proudly walks in covered with blood and with Macbeth's head. "Hail, King! For so thou art. Behold where stands the usurper's cursed head. The time is free" (V.vi.92-93). Right after Macduff says that line, the crowed rejoices, showing the change of meaning of the symbolism of the imagery of blood. Notice how the meaning of blood is changed by Macbeth and is later returned to it's normal meaning after the rightful King is on the throne. This connects to the theme of natural order in the play. Ironically, it was blood that brought Macbeth to power and blood that brought him to death.

Lady Macbeth, on the other hand, sees the blood as washable; that guilt is easily washed away. "A little water clears us of this deed; How easy is it then!" (II.ii.66-67). Notice the contrast of "a little water" to Macbeth's "multitudinous seas". These 2 phrases represent the characters' guilt at the time. Lady Macbeth's guilt level is low; she thinks it can be washed away easily because she feels little guilt. Macbeth, on the ot

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Approximate Word count = 947
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)