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Blood Symbols And Motifs In Macbeth By William Shakespeare

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Blood, hallucinations, and sleep are important symbols and motifs in the play Macbeth. Blood is a symbol of the guilt and violence that permeate the play. The characters are haunted by the blood on their hands, and it serves as a reminder of the terrible acts they have committed. Blood also symbolizes the idea that violence begets violence, and the cycle of violence continues until it consumes the characters. Hallucinations are another important motif in the play. The characters are plagued by visions of ghosts and other supernatural beings. These hallucinations represent the psychological torment that the characters are experiencing. They are a manifestation of the guilt and paranoia that is driving them to madness. The hallucinations also
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Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth see more and more imaginary blood as the time goes on in the play, they feel guilty for what they have done and the blood is a

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“Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (2.2.27). In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the motif of blood and water represents the crime a person has committed and the “cleansing” of guilt. This motif reoccurs numerous times during the play and is best represent by Macbeth and his wife after they feel the guilt of their crimes.

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In my opinion, blood symbolize a contradiction in the play. Shakespeare presented it by depicting how the entanglement in Macbeth’ mind when he killed people and how the honor he got because of his slaughter, his pst and his outcome. In Act 1, scene 2. Macbeth was evaluated by the Captain ‘For brave Macbeth.

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In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the motif of blood serves as a powerful symbol throughout the play, representing guilt, remorse, and the irreversible consequences of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's actions. The presence of blood immediately following Duncan's murder and its recurring imagery late in the play encapsulate the psychological torment faced by the couple, signifying their moral corruption and the deterioration of their humanity. Following Duncan's murder, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are both overwhelmed by guilt and remorse. They become acutely aware of the blood on their hands, which metaphorically represents their responsibility for the heinous act they have committed.

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The last quote, is from Macbeth, who is talking to Lady Macbeth about everything that has happened. “I am in blood/ stepped in so deep that, should I wade no more,/ returning were as tedious as go o’er,” he tells her, distraught from the horrible things he has done (3, 4, 168-170). He is saying that he is stuck in a river of blood and that by now, going backwards would be as hard as wading forward. This is one of the strongest images of blood throughout the play. It shows Macbeth stuck in rising river of dark blood, with Duncan, Banquo, and the two guards standing behind him, and the battle for the kingdom in front.

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Guilt, interpreted as the sense of violating one’s moral standards, frequently leads to mental illnesses, such as depression and anxiety disorders. Guilt holds considerable sway over individuals, compelling them to deviate from their usual behaviors. Guilt is especially prominent within the characters of William Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. Macbeth resides in Scotland, plotting the downfall of King Duncan. Because of their greed for power, Macbeth and other characters are compelled to commit multiple crimes.

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Throughout the play blood is used as a way to show the evil intentions of not only Macbeth but other characters of the famous play, demonstrating their ambition, anger, and guilt. Undoubtedly, the

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Blood is something most people see as gruesome and disturbing, and not something ordinary people enjoy to be in the presence of. In the play Macbeth, the playwright William Shakespeare uses the motif of blood to expose a character's thoughts and personality. Blood is an important motif constantly shown throughout the play. Macbeth, the main character, thinks he can advance to the throne without any consequences. Blood exemplifies the guilt he is now stuck with, and due to Macbeth's excessive ambition, and overwhelming guilt, he is now faced with the consequences.

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To begin with, the blood represents all the violence Macbeth has inflicted upon others. As the blood spreads through the paper, it symbolizes the narcissistic qualities of a tyrant. The blood starting from where the dagger stabs the paper and then slowly spreading represents Macbeth’s first act of violence and selfishness, that being the murder of Duncan. This starting point is where everything began to turn bad, for this first narcissistic thought led to another one until these thoughts infiltrated his mind leading him to continue acting out of his own interest to best benefit himself. The blood spreading through the paper symbolizes this.

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Josie Tapp Ms. Morris Senior English – 1st period 6 December 2016 The Vitality of Symbolism in Macbeth In almost any work of literature that has been written, symbolism has played a part in it. Symbolism is important to include because it helps to further relate and understand the story as a whole. A story with symbolism establishes an abstract and creative view, when it lacks symbolism it loses these elements.

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Shakespeare uses the blood symbol to express Macbeth’s horror and guilt over his crime. Blood reveals Macbeth’s feelings about murder. Overall, the constant presence of blood in Macbeth repeatedly reminds us about how serious the consequences of the characters actions

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Blood, especially for those sensitive to such gory imagery, has a very powerful effect on readers. Whether it drips from a weary hero's blade after a long battle, or sticks to the bed sheets and the clothes of a murdered King, blood in imagery has the ability to develop and reveal character personalities. Shakespeare, in the beginning of his play Macbeth, uses blood to portray Macbeth and many other characters as brave and heroic; however, as the story develops, blood begins to indicate betrayal and darkness in the dispositions of many previously heroic and noble characters. In the beginning of Act II, Shakespeare uses blood in imagery to introduce Macbeth as a hero.

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Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” explores a man’s fall from morality through committing the act of regicide, as well as ideas of guilt, greed and corruption. A motif of blood is used throughout the play to aid Shakespeare’s character development of Macbeth and it also facilitates further exploration of the figurative moral compass and culpability. Blood is used as a symbol and physical manifestation of guilt within characters throughout the play. Firstly, Shakespeare uses the motif of blood to emphasise the moral deterioration of Macbeth 's character.

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Shakespeare uses the recurring symbol of blood to emphasize the effect of death and violence on the human psyche. The connotation that Macbeth associates with blood switches from a primary motivator to a guilty reminder. Prior to Duncan’s murder, Macbeth witnessed a floating dagger covered with blood (II.i.33). Macbeth had experienced violence and Blood is also used as a reminder of the guilt and trauma from the murder of King Duncan, the guards and Banquo. Macbeth refers to his hallucination of the ghost of Banquo: “It will have blood, they say.

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It symbolizes fear, guilt, insanity and also evil. Macbeth would do almost anything to become King. Since the three witches predicted that what was going to be a part of his future. Macbeth and lady Macbeth both became crazy because of the deadly deeds that they committed. In the beginning of the play blood is shown as honor and bravery and towards the end of the play its shown as guilt and remorse.

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