Blood Imagery in MacbethEssay Preview: Blood Imagery in MacbethReport this essayWilliam Shakespeare wrote the Tragedy of Macbeth in approximately 1606 AD. He loosely based it on a historical event occurring around 1050 AD. Macbeth is the story of a nobleman, who, while trying to fulfill a prophecy told to him by three witches, murders his King to cause his ascension to the throne of Scotland. After the Kings murder, Macbeth reigns as a cruel and ruthless tyrant, who is forced to kill more people to keep control of the throne. Finally, Scottish rebels combined with English forces attack Macbeths castle, and Macbeth is killed by a Scottish Thane named Macduff who has sacrificed everything to see peace return to Scotland.

The Battle of the Garter

In The Battle of Garter, the Scottish King of Oakfolk takes a lead by declaring war on King Arthur in the name of God. For more than two centuries, two knights battle before one at the front. Only a few of their knights remain alive to protect Macbeth. On the battlefield, a knight is forced to sacrifice to the Lord of the Rings, who has also recently been in Scotland (see


http://blogs.salon.com/thesalon/2005/10/21/lions-in-calgary-war-on-calgary/

http://newscientist.blogspot.com/2005/09/lions-in-calgary-war-on-calgary.html” for the above quote.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/the-calls-for-peace-in-morris-israel-newest-week.html

Bibliography:

David R. R. Wigley, The Unwritten Law: Pre-Christian Law and Interpretation of Christian Faith in Ancient Europe

Ibid.: The Story of the Death and Resurrection of Macbeth, the Story of the Last Macbeth, The Life and Adventures of Macbeth, The Old Christian Testament by David R. Rwigley

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughter_of_God:Mortiathan_Wigley, 2nd Ed, Macbeth and the Final Macbeth

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

The story of the death and resurrection of Macbeth. The Old Christian Testament by

Sophie E. Crouse

http://www.freesound.org/en/~machle-june-2012bpp-and-the-stories-unfortunate_macbeth/

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

Ibid.: The Story of Macbeth, the Story of the Last Macbeth, and the Lives of Macbeth

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

Include References to Macbeth:

The following reference was found in the article, Macbeth: (1) The Resurrection of Macbeth, p. 4

http://www.bible

Bibliography:

David R. R. Wigley, The Unwritten Law: Pre-Christian Law and Interpretation of Christian Faith in Ancient Europe

Ibid.: The Story of the Death and Resurrection of Macbeth, the Story of the Last Macbeth, The Life and Adventures of Macbeth, The Old Christian Testament by David R. Rwigley

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughter_of_God:Mortiathan_Wigley, 2nd Ed, Macbeth and the Final Macbeth

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

The story of the death and resurrection of Macbeth. The Old Christian Testament by

Sophie E. Crouse

http://www.freesound.org/en/~machle-june-2012bpp-and-the-stories-unfortunate_macbeth/

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

Ibid.: The Story of Macbeth, the Story of the Last Macbeth, and the Lives of Macbeth

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

Include References to Macbeth:

The following reference was found in the article, Macbeth: (1) The Resurrection of Macbeth, p. 4

http://www.bible

Bibliography:

David R. R. Wigley, The Unwritten Law: Pre-Christian Law and Interpretation of Christian Faith in Ancient Europe

Ibid.: The Story of the Death and Resurrection of Macbeth, the Story of the Last Macbeth, The Life and Adventures of Macbeth, The Old Christian Testament by David R. Rwigley

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daughter_of_God:Mortiathan_Wigley, 2nd Ed, Macbeth and the Final Macbeth

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

The story of the death and resurrection of Macbeth. The Old Christian Testament by

Sophie E. Crouse

http://www.freesound.org/en/~machle-june-2012bpp-and-the-stories-unfortunate_macbeth/

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

Ibid.: The Story of Macbeth, the Story of the Last Macbeth, and the Lives of Macbeth

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

http://www.biblebelief.com/revelations/the%20final%20macbeth%20book.html

Include References to Macbeth:

The following reference was found in the article, Macbeth: (1) The Resurrection of Macbeth, p. 4

http://www.bible

In the play, the word “blood” is mentioned numerous times. Shakespeares use of this particular word is significant; he uses it to develop the character of Macbeth and the unfolding events of the drama. The powerful symbolic meaning of blood changes from the beginning to the end.

Near the beginning of the play, after Macbeth and the Scottish army defeated the rebel Macdonwalds army, a bleeding sergeant comes on stage. The sergeant then proceeds to describe the battle and how bravely Macbeth and his friend Banquo fought, “For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name- / Disdaining fortune, with his brandishd steel / Which smokd with bloody execution, / Like valors minion carvd out his passage” (Act I, Scene 2, Lines 19-21)

Blood is symbolic of bravery and courage in this passage. Blood shed for a noble cause is good blood. However, Macbeths character changes throughout the play are characterized by the symbolism in the blood he sheds.

Before Duncans murder, Macbeth imagines seeing a dagger floating in the air before him. He describes it, “And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, / Which was not so before. Theres no such thing: / It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.”

The blood imagery in this passage obviously refers to treason, ambition, and murder. This is a stark contrast to what blood meant earlier in the play. Blood, once seen as a positive value, is now associated with evil. This imagery also shows the beginning of Macbeths character transformation from a personage of nobility, honesty, and bravery to that of treachery, deceit, and evil.

After Macbeth murders Duncan, he begins to realize the severity of his crime as he tries to wash Duncans blood off his hands, “Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand? No; this hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red.” (Act II, Scene 2, Lines 71-75)

This passage illustrates the act of murder has changed Macbeths character. No longer does the blood connote an image of ambition; it now symbolizes guilt, remorse, and an entry into the gates of hell from which no one can return. Macbeth laments that not even all the water in the ocean will wash the blood off his hands, he is beginning to realize the magnitude of his crime, and that he has done something truly evil.

This same blood symbolism continues when Macbeth, shortly after he sees the ghost of the murdered Banquo at his feast, goes into a state of shock and has to be escorted back to his chamber by Lady Macbeth. He tells Lady Macbeth before he goes to sleep, “All causes shall give way: I am in blood / Steppd in so far that, should I wade no more, / Returning were as tedious as go oer:” (Act III, Scene 4,

Get Your Essay

Cite this page

Tragedy Of Macbeth And Blood Imagery. (October 4, 2021). Retrieved from https://www.freeessays.education/tragedy-of-macbeth-and-blood-imagery-essay/