Macbeth - Blood Imagery

A symbol is an object that gives a deeper insight into the underlying themes of a work or literature. In the play, Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, the most apparent of these is blood. Blood imagery is used frequently and consistently throughout the play, in fact, the word “blood” is mentioned forty-two times! The meaning of this recurrent symbol changes with Macbeth. As Macbeth progresses from honorable to deceptive to guilty, the definition of “blood” changes …showed first 75 words of 574 total…

…showed last 75 words of 574 total…of thine already”. As previously proven, the theme of blood is one that transforms as Macbeth does throughout the course of the play. The definition comes full circle once again at the very end, as Macbeth is slain. The murder of Macbeth is viewed as honorable and thus blood is made to be honorable also. Blood imagery is perhaps the strongest, but most subtle conveyer of the transitions Macbeth makes in his fall from grace.