Macbeth, a symbol of blood is portrayed often(and with

different meanings), and that it is a symbol that is developed

until it is the dominating theme of the play towards the end of

it. To begin with, I found the word "blood", or different

forms of it forty-two times (ironically, the word fear is used

forty-two times), with several other passages dealing with

the symbol. Perhaps the best way to show how the symbol

of blood changes throughout the play, is to follow the

character changes in Macbeth. First he is a brave honoured

soldier, but as the play progresses, he becomes a

treacherous person who has become identified with death

and bloodshed and shows his guilt in different forms. The

first reference of blood is one of honour, and occurs when

Duncan sees the injured sergeant and says "What bloody

man is that?". This is symbolic of the brave fighter who been

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

in which the sergeant says "Which smok'd with bloody

execution", he is referring to Macbeth's braveness in which

his sword is covered in the hot blood of the enemy. After

with blood. Macbeth knows in his mind that she is having

way, and perhaps the most vivid use of the symbol blood, is

says this instead. Lady Macbeth shows the most vivid

thou bloodier villain than terms can give thee out." After the

out about this sleepwalking, he tells Macbeth "As she is

knows it will deflect the guilt from her and Macbeth to the

that Lady Macbeth is having fantasies or dreams that deal

Macduff replies, "I have no words, my voice is in my sword,

deeds which she is about to commit. Lady Macbeth knows

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lady Macbeth, , Macbeth Macduff, Malcolm Donalbain, symbol blood, lady macbeth, Duncan Macbeth, symbol blood changes, death macbeth, meaning honour, blood changes, guilt macbeth, forty-two times, play macbeth,
Approximate Word count = 790
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)