William Shakespeare uses many techniques to increase the intensity and excitement in his plays. Macbeth, the dramatic play written by William Shakespeare has many good examples of imagery, especially blood. The presence of blood adds a sense of fear, guilt, shame, insanity, and anger to the atmosphere and enables the audience to imagine the exciting, often horrific scenes occurring in the play. The image of blood is key in prevailing the principal theme of Macbeth. The main theme of Macbeth is that, "destruction is created when ambition goes unchecked by moral constraints." This theme is most present in the actions and characteristics of the play's main character, Macbeth. The symbol of blood changes with the changing character of Macbeth. In the beginning of the play blood symbolizes honor and bravery, but that changes to deceit and evil, as the play progresses.
             At the beginning of the play blood signifies honor and bravery and symbolizes good and victory. Macbeth, at this time, is a fierce warrior and a man of great nobility and honor. The first image of blood presented in the play, is the blood on Macbeth's sword after a long and gruesome war. The blood on Macbeth's sword after the war shows him to be a brave hero because he was able to conquer and slay the enemy. It is because of this achievement, Macbeth is worthy of the title Thane of Cawdor. One soldier praises Macbeth's heroic actions by saying "For brave Macbeth-well he deserves that name--/Disdaining Fortune, with his brandished steel, Which smoked with bloody execution." (I,ii,17-18) The blood in Act 1 represents Macbeth's victory, because the blood on his sword is that of the enemy. It is this blood, which earns Macbeth respect and a greater title. Macbeth is highly ranked, loved by everyone around him and has proven himself to be very courageous warrior on the battlefield.
             ...