Macbeth - Blood Imagery

A detailed Summary of Macbeth - Blood Imagery

A symbol is an object that gives a deeper insight into the underlying themes of a work or literature. In the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the most apparent of these is blood. Blood imagery is used frequently and consistently throughout the play, in fact, the

word "blood" is mentioned forty-two times! The meaning of this recurrent symbol changes with Macbeth. As Macbeth progresses from honorable to deceptive to guilty, the definition of "blood" changes as well.

At first, blood is used to display courage and bravery as in Act I, Scene ? when Duncan says, "What bloody man is this?", as an injured solider enters. He, like Macbeth,is a warrior whose blood is respectable because it was shed for his country. The soldier

makes reference to Macbeth's valiant efforts by saying that his sword "smok'd with bloody execution" when he murdered a

begins to hang over Macbeth until it becomes almost too much to bear. He has stopped confiding in Lady Macbeth, and must therefore keep his reflections in the back of his mind, haunting him. At this time, Macbeth sees a vision of Banquo, whom he has just

impossible for him to turn back now. This is the first inkling he gives the audience of his inner thoughts since the beginning of the play. Slowly, but surely the feeling of guilt

of work" and Ross asks "is't known who did this more than bloody deed?" Both statements display the fact that blood has now grown to define an act of treason or betrayal.

As Macbeth begins to plot murder with Lady Macbeth, he becomes more and more evil and therefore the meaning of the blood loses its purity and it, too, becomes a sign of betrayal and deception. Banquo refers to Duncan's murder as "most bloody

Some common words found in the essay are:
Lady Macbeth, Scene Duncan, Finally Macbeth, William Shakespeare, Macbeth Macbeth, , lady macbeth, feeling guilt, honorable blood, blood imagery, vision banquo,

Approximate Word count = 574
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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Macbeth - Blood Imagery

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