Symbolism and Imagery in MacBeth
Blood Imagery
Images of Evil
- Before the murder of MacDuff's murder, MacBeth pictures himself half-way across a river of blood, concluding that he might as well wade to the other side: ' I am in blood stepped in so far that should I wade no more, returning were as tedious to go o'er '
- MacBeth is reluctant to fight MacDuff: 'My soul is too much charged with blood of thine already'
- Lady MacBeth expresses guilt too over Duncan's murder when she sleep walks: 'Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?'
- Lady MacBeth also repeatedly attempts to wash he hands clean of the crime she committed 'the damned spot' --> blood stain on her hands
- Lady MacBeth's sense of guilt is also shown: 'All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand'
Images of Good
- King Duncan and King Edward are also associated with images of grace and virtue
- MacBeth's reign is associated with the powers of darkness
- the witches are a symbol of evil, Banquo describes them as 'instruments of evil
- As we witness MacBeths decline morally, images of him are associated with hell
- Lennox describes Scotland ruled by MacBeth as 'our suffering country under a hand accused'
- MacDuff describes MacBeth as 'this fiend of Scotland' and Malcolm speaks of MacBeth as 'devilish MacBeth'
- Malcolm describes Lady MacBeth as MacBeth's 'fiend-like queen'
- Duncan is described as 'gracious' and as 'a most sainted king'
- Edward is described as 'holy' and 'most pious'
- Malcolm sees the army that marches against MacBeth as doing God's work: 'MacBeth is ripe for shaking, and the powers above put on their instruments.'
- MacBeth is initially described with images of bravery and nobleness