Words are the single most important tool for a writer, reader, or even just a human to have. They can describe anything one wants them to. Yet even then, nothing is free from interpretation. Even in one piece of writing, the connotations behind a word can change. An example of this is how the word ‘murder’ changes throughout Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. What starts as an unforgivable crime becomes another pastime to the Macbeths. In the first act, Macbeth says, “My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical” (1.3.160). This is the first time that ‘murder’ is mentioned in the play. After three witches give Macbeth and Banquo prophecies, Macbeth has a soliloquy. The witches tell Macbeth that he will become Thane of Cawdor and King of Scotland. Macbeth sees that the only way to become king is for him to kill one of his closest friends, King Duncan. At this point, ‘murder’ is a curse word in Macbeth’s mind. Nobody else has said or implied that Macbeth will have to kill Duncan, but he assumes that is what he has to do. He says that even the thought of murder shakes him up and confuses him to a point of an identity crisis. This soliloquy is right after a battle, where readers know Macbeth killed often. He believes there is a difference …show more content…
Macbeth has killed young Siward. In response, Angus postulates, “His secret murders sticking on his hands” (5.2.20).” The rebels suspect he has killed Duncan, Banquo, and the Macduffs, but still do not know for sure. This is why the murders are secret. It is stuck on his hands like blood, which is a reference to Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking scene. This is right before the giant battle, and the murders stay on his hands. It is another way of saying that even once he dies, the murders will stick onto his hands. Banquo, Duncan, and all the others will still be dead. It is a negative, firm connotation. There is no redemption for Macbeth