IMAGERY IN MACBETH
In all of Shakespeare's plays he uses many forms of imagery. In the play, The Tragedy of Macbeth, Shakespeare applies the imagery of blood and water, which are symbolized in the major themes of the play. Images of blood and water are also mainly expressed together as one main symbolic image of several themes. Each detail of imagery contains an important symbol related to the major themes of the novel. "Critics approach Macbeth as a study of various themes: treachery, fear, guilt, and evil." (Nostbakken 19). Water and blood together symbolize the themes of horror, fear, death, honor, treason, guilt and evil as well. "Fear and horror is due to the subtle but definite and repeat action ...
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of blood." (Von Doren 338). Shakespeare mentions the word blood, or different forms of it often in the play. The best way to describe how the image of blood changes throughout the play is by following the character changes in Macbeth. First, Macbeth is a brave and honored soldier, but as the play progresses, Macbeth becomes identified with death and bloodshed, along with showing his guilt in different forms.
The first corrupt reference to blood is when Macbeth sees the dagger floating in the air leading him to Duncan's room and he sees "on the blade and dudgeon gouts of blood" (Shakespeare 2.1.46). The next reference is when the symbol of blood changes to show a form of treachery and treason. Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to "Make thick my blood" (Shakespeare 1.6.43). Lady Macbeth knows that the evidence of blood is a treacherous symbol, and knows it will turn the guilt from her and Macbeth to the servants when Lady Macbeth smears the blood from the dagger on the faces ...
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get thee back, my soul is too much charg'd with the blood of thine already" (Shakespeare 5.8.5-6). Of which, Macduff replies, "I have no words, my voice is in my sword, thou bloodier villain then terms can give thee out" (Shakespeare 5.8.7-9). After the death of Macbeth at the hands of Macduff, the imagery of blood swings back to what it was at the beginning of the play, but it is in the honor of Malcom at this time. The death of Macbeth is honored achievement that they congratulate Macduff for.
Images of blood and water occur frequently together throughout William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Shakespeare uses these images to portray the horror of the central action, Duncan's murder. "The ...
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"IMAGERY IN MACBETH." Essayworld.com. November 7, 2007. Accessed April 23, 2024. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/IMAGERY-IN-MACBETH/73959.
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