In William Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth, literary symbols or motifs such as blood play a significant role. Throughout the play, blood feeds off of a strong case of corrupt ambition and symbolizes guilt, blame and destruction. No matter how strong or thick one’s blood is, actions prove to be permanent and have serious side effects such as a haunting guilt marked by Macbeth’s crimson blood. Shortly after discovering that Macbeth is in line to be King, he and his wife Lady Macbeth devise a plan to murder and remove the incumbent King Duncan from his throne to open up the position. However, as soon as Macbeth commits the fatal murder, he is exasperated by his actions evidently as he yelps, “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, this my hand with rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine making the green one red” (II, ii, 78-81). The sight of Macbeth’s blood at the crime scene would be the ultimate proof against his innocence. His guilty conscience convinces him that his blood is so tainted that it cannot be removed and will instead stain. Indeed, Macbeth’s blood symbolizes the omnipotence of his guilt and his inability to fill his mind with thoughts other than those of the murder. …show more content…
Duncan’s assassination sparks suspicions toward Macbeth, especially in his good friend Banquo. Macbeth takes notice of Banquo’s sentiments and blames Malcolm and Donalbain, sons of Duncan, “We hear our bloody cousins are bestowed in England and in Ireland, not confessing their cruel parricide, filling their hearers with strange invention” (III, i, 33-36). Using the word “bloody” as a label emphasizes Macbeth’s intention to plead innocent and blame Malcolm and Donalbain. Evidently, blood is a symbol of blame; it is a stamp of personal identity that determines one’s guilt or