Shakespeare was one of the greatest writers of his time. Throughout his plays he constantly uses different metaphors and motifs to give a more detailed picture of the play to the reader. In Shakespeare’s tragedy, Macbeth, the motif of blood often represents guilt and courage.
The motif of blood helps Shakespeare highlight the guilt experienced by the characters in the play. Moreover, Macbeth was one of the first characters to feel a great deal of guilt in the play. An instance in which Macbeth's guilt showed through was when he said, “A dagger of the mind, a false creation,... I see thee still, and on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood”(II,I) Macbeth makes this statement to his wife after killing Duncan, because he still feels remorse for his actions. To continue, he has the impression that there are daggers covered in blood haunting him constantly reminding him of his actions. Furthermore, a character that felt an abundance of guilt was Lady Macbeth. After killing Duncan, Lady Macbeth was haunted by the sight of blood. This is evident when it is stated, “It is an accustomed action with her, to seem thus washing her hands: I have known her continue in this quarter of an hour”(V,I). Moreover, after killing
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Furthermore, throughout the play this motif is used to help give a better description of how the character feels, such as when Lady Macbeth states, “And fill me from the crown to the toe top-full Of direst cruelty! make thick my blood”(I,IV). In this quote, Lady Macbeth is wishing to have “thick blood” like a man so she can have the bravery to kill Duncan. Another example is in the second apparition when it is said, “Be bloody, bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn The power of man, for none of woman born Shall harm Macbeth.” (IV,I)Furthermore, this apparition refers to Macbeth and how he needs to be fearless and strong, because no one can harm him. To conclude blood often symbolizes courage and