Symbols And Symbols In Macbeth

Symbols are a very important element of everyday life. From symbols on road signs to symbols on social media, symbols allow people to have an understanding of what is happening around them. In William Shakespeare’s poetic tragedy Macbeth symbols are used to develop characterization and display the motifs and themes that have been present throughout the play. The play gives out important symbols such as blood, a cauldron, and sleep to represent the motifs of ambition, fate, and guilt. Based on these motifs given by the symbols, readers are able to discover the progression in characterization and learn the theme of leaving fate as it is. Therefore through the symbols in the play, the readers are able to not only develop a greater understanding of the theme but also how it has changed and created different

16-19). The use of blood displays Macbeth as a hero and characterizes him as loyal and courageous. The blood also represents the ambition he had to bring success for the king, which further supports his loyal characteristics. Unfortunately, things soon begin to change after Macbeth learns his fate in becoming king. “‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red’” (2.2.61-64). The blood on Macbeth’s hand presents to be Duncan’s blood, showing how Macbeth has murdered the person who trusted him the most. This blood symbolizes ambition because as Macbeth desires to become king, he does everything he needs to do in order to fulfill that desire. As a result, Macbeth develops a murderous and untrustful characteristic, which greatly contrasts his character from the beginning of the play. Lady Macbeth on the other hand enhances her brutal and cruel characteristics with the symbol of blood, which also reveals her ambitious mindset. “‘That fears a painted devil. If he do bleed, /