Macbeth Blood Imagery Analysis

Imagery is the use of visually descriptive or figurative language in order to transform a story and to set its mood. William Shakespeare impressively brought about this transformation in his play Macbeth by embedding imagery in the brilliantly concentrated phrases of his play. He takes a gory tale from Scottish history of murderous ambition, and reconstructs it into an imaginative tale of good and evil. The imagery of blood, witchcraft and the chaos of nature contribute greatly to the mood in Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. Firstly, Shakespeare effectively uses the imagery of blood in the opening lines of the play as he accepts honor for his bravery in battle. The imagery of blood, which is universally associated with repelling thoughts of horror and disgust, is then used perpetually throughout the play. Shakespeare uses this to help develop and enhance a disturbing mood and drama in the play. For example, leading to King Duncan’s death, Macbeth uses the description of blood to set the mood for the murder by saying that "I see thee still, and on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of …show more content…
The witches remind the audience of the supernatural element in the play, thus creating a sinister tone. In the play's opening remarks the witches debate whether to meet next in “thunder, lightning, or in rain?” (1.1.2), creating the eerie atmosphere that Shakespeare is so famously respected for. Despite their absurdness and almost comical recipes of “eye of newt and toe of frog” (4.1.14),the witches aid in creating a dangerous and gloomy aura. Moreover, they also initiate dark temptations within other characters, through their supernatural abilities. For instance, it is doubtful that Macbeth would have murdered King Duncan without the push given by the witches’ prophecy. Ultimately, the absence of the three witches would result in a less frightening and violent