Examples Of Blood Imagery In Macbeth
Inevitable Guilt
Blood Imagery in Macbeth Guilt is a frustrating feeling; it evokes regret, self-punishment, and shame. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do not know it, but every time they murder, their guilt increases, and they step closer to their downfall. Shakespeare uses the imagery of blood in Macbeth to illustrate the inevitable guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how their roles change by the end of the play. In the beginning of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth try their best to hide their conscience. Macbeth commands the stars to “hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4.57-58). If the stars hide their light, Macbeth's dark desires will be hidden and he will feel no guilt. Lady Macbeth speaks to the spirits and orders them to “unsex me here / And fill me . . .top-full / Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood, / Stop up the access and passage to remorse” (1.5.42-45). Lady Macbeth calls the evil spirits to get rid of her female qualities, to make her a man, and to hide her conscience so she will feel no guilt. Both of them know that once they feel guilt, they will be doomed and found guilty. After killing Duncan, Macbeth feels extreme guilt, while Lady Macbeth seems to experience no guilt at all. Macbeth looks …show more content…
This is a huge change from King Duncan’s murder, when Lady Macbeth had to plan it out and then convince Macbeth to go through with the plan. While Banquo is being murdered, Macbeth is hosting a banquet for the lords. When Banquo’s ghost steps in, Macbeth wonders how Lady Macbeth can “behold such sights, / And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks” (3.4.137-138) while Macbeth’s cheeks are drained of color from fear. Even though Macbeth planned out this murder, and seemed as though his guilt is gone, it still is in his conscience and he despises thinking about it. Lady Macbeth, however, keeps the natural ruby of her cheeks and has no fear of these
Blood Imagery in Macbeth Guilt is a frustrating feeling; it evokes regret, self-punishment, and shame. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth do not know it, but every time they murder, their guilt increases, and they step closer to their downfall. Shakespeare uses the imagery of blood in Macbeth to illustrate the inevitable guilt of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth and how their roles change by the end of the play. In the beginning of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and Macbeth try their best to hide their conscience. Macbeth commands the stars to “hide your fires; / Let not light see my black and deep desires” (1.4.57-58). If the stars hide their light, Macbeth's dark desires will be hidden and he will feel no guilt. Lady Macbeth speaks to the spirits and orders them to “unsex me here / And fill me . . .top-full / Of direst cruelty! Make thick my blood, / Stop up the access and passage to remorse” (1.5.42-45). Lady Macbeth calls the evil spirits to get rid of her female qualities, to make her a man, and to hide her conscience so she will feel no guilt. Both of them know that once they feel guilt, they will be doomed and found guilty. After killing Duncan, Macbeth feels extreme guilt, while Lady Macbeth seems to experience no guilt at all. Macbeth looks …show more content…
This is a huge change from King Duncan’s murder, when Lady Macbeth had to plan it out and then convince Macbeth to go through with the plan. While Banquo is being murdered, Macbeth is hosting a banquet for the lords. When Banquo’s ghost steps in, Macbeth wonders how Lady Macbeth can “behold such sights, / And keep the natural ruby of your cheeks” (3.4.137-138) while Macbeth’s cheeks are drained of color from fear. Even though Macbeth planned out this murder, and seemed as though his guilt is gone, it still is in his conscience and he despises thinking about it. Lady Macbeth, however, keeps the natural ruby of her cheeks and has no fear of these