Essay about The Many Symbols in Shakespeares Macbeth

The Many Symbols in Macbeth Shakespeare used clothing both symbolically and as a vehicle of character definition. Clothes were often used in Macbeths case to symbolize his titles. Symbolic clothing is identified when Ross tells Macbeth of his new title Thane of Cawdor when Macbeth does not know of the Thanes treason, Macbeth: The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in Borrowd robes? (I, III,108) Symbols using clothing such as borrowed robes, disguises and cross-dressing are found in several plays where they betray a range of situations from sheer mischievousness to dark, treasonable or murderous plots. The symbol appears again when Banquo and Macbeth are discussing whether the witches prophecy about†¦show more content†¦(I,ii,17) Duncans blood on the Macbeths hands is symbol of the evil crime they committed, the guilt of which cannot be washed away. Pontius Pilate is the supreme example of the futility of the symbolic act of washing the hands to expunge guilt. History will forever hold him guilty. Macbeths curse, Will all great Neptunes ocean wash this blood Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather The multitudinous seas incarnadine, Making the green one red. (II,iii,61) The symbol was also used earlier as Lady Macbeth tries to blame of the murder on the sleeping grooms, ...smear the sleepy grooms with blood. (II,II,49) Lady Macbeths remark on her entry shorty after that A little water clears us of this deed; How easy it is then! shows that she has less immediate guilt for the crime, where Macbeths conscience is eating away at him, or that she has not yet absorbed the enormity of the deed. The same symbol of evil deeds not being washed away is brought out again in (V,II,17) where Angus says, Now does he feel His secret murders sticking on his hands; The bloody hand appears again when Lady Macbeth has the waking dreams in which she curses, Lady Macbeth: Out, damned spot! out I say! ... Yet who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him? (V,i,38-43) What! will these hands neer be clean? (V,i,46) Heres the smell of the blood still: all the perfumes of Arabia willShow MoreRelatedEssay on The Symbol of Blood in William Shakespeares Macbeth737 Words   |  3 PagesThe Symbol of Blood in William Shakespeares Macbeth Macbeth had many symbols, which were linked to the themes in the play. One of the symbols would be blood, and the theme to follow through with it is murder, and the dread associated with murder. A lot of the scenes in the play, involving killing, have blood stated. Blood is a significant symbol, when connected to the theme of killing, and is used as a foreshadowing device as well. The first reference of blood isRead More Imagery In Macbeth Essay example1406 Words   |  6 Pages Response to â€Å"Macbeth† 2. How does Shakespeare’s use of imagery and recurring symbols add depth and meaning to the plot and characters in the play? 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