Macbeth Symbolism
Calvin Ross December 10, 2013
English III Period 4: Roll 18
Implying Theme through Symbolism:
An Analysis of Shakespeare’s Intent in Macbeth
Death and life are a constant cycle throughout the play of Macbeth. William Shakespeare intends to imply through his symbolism of blood and water the thematic idea that death can always be conquered by life because, in nature, death gives birth to life. First of all, throughout the play blood is seen as a symbol of guilt, murder, and pain. Secondly, Shakespeare makes it evident that water is shown as a symbol of purification and cleansing of the soul.
Shakespeare’s first symbol, that blood is a representation of guilt, murder, and pain. This is clearly made evident by his main character Macbeth. For example in the second scene of the play King Duncan is asking about the famed and glorious Macbeth and his battles with the enemy, Duncan says “What bloody man is that?”(1.2.1). Surely the playwrights decision, to use this words, show how Shakespeare’s intent to symbolize blood as a symbol of pain for the opposing army. Although the opposing army has died, there deaths have given the kingdom in which Duncan rules a sense of “life”, due to the fact there kingdom is safe and away from all danger. This shows how death and life are and never ending cycle. In another occasion similar to this one, Shakespeare has created yet another compelling scene where Macbeth’s counterpart his wife, has made a plan to kill King Duncan but she calls upon supernatural spirits to make her feel nothing when killing someone she says “ make my blood thick;/Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse. In this scene we see how thin blood is considered whole and Lady Macbeth wants to poison her blood, to poison her soul, to make her blood thick to be able to kill without remorse. This shows how Lady Macbeth has “died” and brought to life a new Lady Macbeth that has no remorse or consideration for
English III Period 4: Roll 18
Implying Theme through Symbolism:
An Analysis of Shakespeare’s Intent in Macbeth
Death and life are a constant cycle throughout the play of Macbeth. William Shakespeare intends to imply through his symbolism of blood and water the thematic idea that death can always be conquered by life because, in nature, death gives birth to life. First of all, throughout the play blood is seen as a symbol of guilt, murder, and pain. Secondly, Shakespeare makes it evident that water is shown as a symbol of purification and cleansing of the soul.
Shakespeare’s first symbol, that blood is a representation of guilt, murder, and pain. This is clearly made evident by his main character Macbeth. For example in the second scene of the play King Duncan is asking about the famed and glorious Macbeth and his battles with the enemy, Duncan says “What bloody man is that?”(1.2.1). Surely the playwrights decision, to use this words, show how Shakespeare’s intent to symbolize blood as a symbol of pain for the opposing army. Although the opposing army has died, there deaths have given the kingdom in which Duncan rules a sense of “life”, due to the fact there kingdom is safe and away from all danger. This shows how death and life are and never ending cycle. In another occasion similar to this one, Shakespeare has created yet another compelling scene where Macbeth’s counterpart his wife, has made a plan to kill King Duncan but she calls upon supernatural spirits to make her feel nothing when killing someone she says “ make my blood thick;/Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse. In this scene we see how thin blood is considered whole and Lady Macbeth wants to poison her blood, to poison her soul, to make her blood thick to be able to kill without remorse. This shows how Lady Macbeth has “died” and brought to life a new Lady Macbeth that has no remorse or consideration for