Blood Imagery in Macbeth
Shakespeare's Macbeth is a story taken from Scottish history and presented to the Scottish king James I. Shakespeare took this gory tale of murderous ambition, however, and transformed it into an imaginative tale of good and evil. Shakespeare brought about this transformation by relying upon "imaginative verbal vigor" that imbeds itself in the brilliantly concentrated phrases of this literary work. Critics have dubbed it his darkest work, along with King Lear. In his critique of Shakespeare's works and plays, Charles Haines describes Macbeth as "one of Shakespeare's shortest plays, containing just 2,108 lines." He further states that it is a vigorous, headlong drama, a relentless spectacle in red and black. (Haines, p. 105) This red and black spectacle reveals itself to the reader and audience through the use of blood imagery. Blood, or the imagery attached to it, appears 42 times in this play. This imagery of blood begins as a representation of honor and progresses into one of evil, then guilt, and finally returns to represent honor. The symbolic use of blood roots in the opening lines of Macbeth when Macbeth accepts honor for his bravery in battle. Duncan sees the injured captain and says, " Wha
On the other hand, Froug, 5however, Lady Macbeth is unable to remain free of guilt and once the guilt takes over Lady Macbeth can never get it back under control. At this point, King Duncan glorifies Macbeth. It is for this reason that William Shakespeare used blood imagery in the tragedy of Macbeth. Lady Macbeth re-enacts the murder and shows a completely different frame of mind from earlier in the play. Therefore, the first bloodshed earned Macbeth respect and a title. The memory of the blood he spills is what eventually brings about Macbeth's downfall and lady Macbeth's suicide. She demands that the faces and hands of the sleeping servants be smeared with King Duncan's blood. Macbeth's guilt only seen once more at the end of the play/ Macbeth has Macduff, but lets him go. Shakespeare's use of blood imagery then begins a rapid descent to reach the point where blood warns of deep evil, treachery, and murder. Her subconscious feelings of guilt consume her whole being. Blood imagery now intensifies an atmosphere that is thoroughly evil. Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to " make thick my blood. Using blood imagery, Shakespeare reveals the transformation of the tragedy's main characters and evokes an emotional response from the audience. In his unique style of presentation, Shakespeare's two references to blood allude to the honor that Macbeth earns in battle for his king.
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