In the play Macbeth, by William Shakespeare, blood imagery plays a vital role in the development of the plot, theme, and character development.
We first hear the word “blood” in Act I, Scene II, when King Duncan asks a soldier to report what was occurring on the battlefield. The unnamed soldier then proceeds to say ““For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name- / Disdaining fortune, with his brandish’d steel / Which smok’d with bloody execution, / Like valor’s minion carv’d out his passage…”. In this example, blood symbolizes Macbeth’s loyalty¬, which is evident in the lines “Which smok’d with bloody execution,” Macbeth beheaded another thane because he was a traitor to the Scottish Army, ergo educating us on the fact that Macbeth has a tremendous amount of respect for his King and for Scotland. Blood, also represents courage and bravery, as seen in the lines “Like valor’s minion carv’d out his passage”. Whilst on the battlefield, Macbeth behaved as if he was a slave to valor. He did not fear death, and fought with fortitude and gallantry. Blood is symbolic of bravery and courage in this passage. Bloodshed for a noble cause is considered to be good blood. However, Macbeth’s character changes throughout the play are characterized by the symbolism in the blood he sheds.
Blood is referred to again Act II, Scene I, as Macbeth is preparing to murder Duncan. And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood, / Which was not so before. There’s no such thing: / It is the bloody business which informs / Thus to mine eyes.” Before Macbeth enters Duncan’s chambers, he sees a floating dagger, covered in blood. Macbeth this believes that this dagger was sent by the “bloody business”, which is the act of murdering Duncan. In this passage, blood represents ambition, treason, and evil, the exact opposite of what blood represented when the unnamed soldier talked about Macbeth. The fact this Macbeth is seeing this bloody dagger floating also informs the reader of Macbeth’s mental...