Authors often utilize symbols to signify the importance of events, objects, or relationships in their works. Indeed, the majority of the great poetic or literature works use some degree of symbolism to allow readers to visualize the writers’ messages. Correspondingly, in the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses symbolism to portray the primary theme of fate. The blood acts as a sign of guilt and murder, which Shakespeare employs to illustrate the personalities of Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth.
Blood symbolizes the feelings of murder after Macbeth kills Duncan. Shakespeare uses this symbol to exhibit Macbeth’s guilt and horror for his crime. Macbeth experiences disturbing emotions after killing Duncan as he explains that the idea of murder or the sight of blood is awful, which leads to tears in his eyes (Shakespeare 19). This confession demonstrates the magnitude of Macbeth’s shock, which surpasses his expectations before committing the murder. He is not only perturbed but also exhibited the emotions of extreme guilt. Macbeth feels culpable for murdering Banquo, and he confirms his regret when he describes the ghosts haunting him (Shakespeare 35). Besides, blood symbolism shows how Lady Macbeth’s perceptions towards murder change with the plot’s progression. Initially, she effortlessly cleans blood from her hands, disregarding any sense of guilt. Nevertheless, at the end of the play, Lady Macbeth seems astonished to see her husband’s guards covered with blood (Shakespeare 59). She sees a spot of blood on her hand and struggles to wash it, demonstrating the incurable guilt for the murders committed during Macbeth’s leadership.
Blood serves as a persistent sign of the characters’ emotional development. Although Macbeth and Lady Macbeth were comfortable with killing to inherit the reign, they later experience immeasurable guilt due to their actions. Therefore, blood symbolism shows the state of despair, which defines the main characters’ fate owing to their selfish ambitions, thus enabling readers to compare and contrast the change of their emotions as the plot unfolds.
Work Cited
Shakespeare, William. “Macbeth.” Shakespeare Out Loud, 2001. Web.