What Does Blood Symbolize In Macbeth

A wide plethora of symbolism is used throughout numerous works of Shakespeare, all deeming different meanings and meant to be understood in sometimes distinct ways. Macbeth shows that there can be light and darkness, which is all things that represents the good and bad seemingly through the whole play. A more common example is one shown in if not any, but all of his plays, which is blood. For example, the blood in Macbeth represents the guilt and darkness which is associated with one’s evil nature. In the beginning of the story, blood is used to represent bravery,”For brave Macbeth--well he deserves that name--Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel, Which smoked with bloody execution,” (I, ii, 18-20). They make Macbeth out to seem

Much is expected from Macbeth, as he is expected to be courageous and a brave soldier, he is not very virtuous, as shown by his actions. This character is overcome by ambition and greed, attempting to keep his, “brave” reputation, not seeing the change in himself and how he is affected by the murders he continuously commits. This darkness overcoming Macbeth is shown at various durations of times, introduced by the “narrator”, or Shakespeare. It is decapitated by the overcasted cover of night or strange darkness brought out, anytime something bad is to come or has happened. The morning after the murder of King Duncan, it is strangely dark, and shows as Ross says to an old man,”, "by the clock, 'tis day, And yet dark night strangles the travelling lamp" (2.4.6-7). As translated, the “travelling lamp”, is the

This begins to show through his hallucinations,”Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, fatal vision, sensible to seeing as to sight? Or art thou but a dagger of the mind, a false creation, proceeding by the heat oppressed brain” (Act 2, scene 1) Macbeth is seen to be at war, but not with others, only himself, he is battling his ambition. The characters brain is at war with itself because it’s under stress from having to fight against itself, attempting to take credit for the murders and make Macbeth realize his dirty deeds. He was overwhelmed by the idea of having to kill King Duncan and doesn’t relish in such task, attempting to reason that it would be unwise to commit such an act, but he tries to convince himself as to not receive criticism for his manhood and Lady Macbeth’s promises to be cold towards him if he goes against the wishes of the Lady. After the murdering of Duncan, Macbeth's guilt, fear, and paranoia lead him to commit even more murders, which are to secure his power and to prove his confidence in the prophecies. These actions and his utter overconfidence in himself later proves to be disastrous. Macbeth thinks he is invincible, as falsely prophesied by the witches.