Imagery of Blood in Macbeth

A detailed Summary of Imagery of Blood in Macbeth

"Macbeth" is the story of a nobleman, who, while trying to fulfill a prophecy told to him by three witches, murders his King to cause his ascension to the throne of Scotland. After the King's murder, Macbeth reigns as a cruel and ruthless tyrant, who is forced to kill more people to keep control of the throne. Finally, Scottish rebels combined with English forces attack Macbeth's castle, and Macbeth is killed by a Scottish Thane named Macduff who has sacrificed everything to see peace return to Scotland.

In the play, the word "blood" is mentioned numerous times. Shakespeare's use of this particular word is significant; he uses it to develop the character of Macbeth and the unfolding events of the drama (Sparknotes). The powerful symbolic meaning of blood changes from the beginning to the end.

Near the beginning of the play, after Macbeth and the Scottish army defeated the rebel Macdonwald's army, a bleeding sergeant comes on stage. The sergeant then proceeds to describe the battle and how bravely Macbeth and his friend Banquo fought, "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name- / Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel / Which smoked with bloody execution, / Like valor's minion carved ou

After Macbeth murders Duncan, he begins to realize the severity of his crime as he tries to wash Duncan's blood off his hands: "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine / Making the green one red" (II, ii, 64-67). This passage illustrates that the act of murder has changed Macbeth's character. No longer does the blood connote an image of ambition; it now symbolizes guilt, remorse, and an entry into the gates of hell from which no one can return. Macbeth laments that not even all the water in the ocean will wash the blood off his hands. He is beginning to realize the magnitude of his crime, and that he has done something truly evil (Bevington, 687).

In the play's final scene, Macduff confronts Macbeth to avenge the murders of his children and his wife at Macbeth's hand, and to see Malcolm established as the rightful King. As Malcolm sees Macbeth, he exclaims, "I have no words / My voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain / Than terms can give thee out" (V, viii, 5-7)! Macbeth and Macduff then engage in a fight to the death with Macduff eventually emerging victorious. When Macduff, mentions blood, it speaks to justified bloodshed, and revenge.

Like her husband, the once ambitious Lady Macbeth finally realizes the significance of associating herself in the m

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Approximate Word count = 919
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English