Symbols And Motifs In Macbeth

Shakespeare utilizes many symbols and motifs throughout Macbeth in order to fulfill a deeper meaning and understanding of the writing. Some motifs that are revealed in Macbeth are fair/foul, clothing, blood, gender role and sleep. Shakespeare also uses the weather to symbolize the tone and uses blood or the sound of knocking to symbolize guilt. The use of motif and symbols allows the audience to have an open interpretation about situations throughout the play. Shakespeare uses fair and foul at the beginning of the play in Act 1 Scene 1 “Fair is foul, and foul is fair.” The three witches gather before meeting Macbeth to tell him his fate. The witches are trying to state that anything goes and it is difficult to tell the difference between …show more content…
Blood is referred to many times throughout the play and mainly symbolizes guilt. In Act 2 Scene 2, Lady Macbeth suggests that Macbeth wash his hands, which symbolically means to wash his guilt away. Macbeth replies, “With all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood/ Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/ The multitudinous seas incarnadine,/ Making the green one red.” (II.ii.79-81) Macbeth explains that all the water in the world could not wash the blood away. Blood represents guilt and he has so much blood on his hands that it would make all the water red. Macbeth expresses that he cannot escape the guilt that he has put himself into. One of the most famous quotes by Lady Macbeth revolves around the motif of …show more content…
Sleep is mentioned in Act 2 Scene 2 when Macbeth explains to Lady Macbeth that he “heard a voice cry “Sleep no more! / Macbeth does murder sleep” – the innocent sleep.” (II.ii.47-48) King Duncan was murdered in his sleep, therefore Macbeth “does murder sleep.” Macbeth continues on saying “Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor / Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more.” (II.ii.55-57) Not only did he murder King Duncan in his sleep, he also murdered his own sleep because he will not be able to sleep comfortably knowing that he has murdered a man. He instantly feels guilt and regret marked on his conscience. Shakespeare utilizes the weather to create or set the tone of a scene. He also utilizes it to foreshadow what is to happen. Before Macbeth murders someone, Shakespeare shows signs of darkness and thunder to foreshadow the evil that is to come. This is effective in the play to instigate emotion or reaction from the audience. These symbols and motifs play an important role throughout Macbeth. Not only does it add density to the meaning of the play, but also allows the audience to follow up with a personal emotion or reaction. The common motifs connect the entire play into a unity. These symbols and motifs also help reveal profound human