Symbolism is an artistic way of incorporating symbols into literature to represent ideas. It is used in many different types of literature such as plays. They enhance the play and help the reader make connections with what is going on. Shakespeare does a great job of strategically placing symbols throughout his play to portray the ideas of guilt and innocence. There are many symbols used in the play but the most common ones representing guilt and innocence are sleep, hallucinations and blood. Sleep is most often associated with innocence and peace. In the play Macbeth, characters are unable to get sleep because of the crimes they have committed. After Macbeth has killed Duncan he goes to Lady Macbeth. Macbeth then goes on to tell her that
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When Macbeth is on his way to kill Duncan he sees a floating dagger. He tries to grab it, but is unsuccessful in doing so. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle towards my hand? Come let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (2.1.40) The dagger’s handle is pointing towards Macbeth and it indicates that he is a murderer no matter what he may try to tell himself. The second hallucination takes place after Macbeth has received news of Banquo’s murder from his servants. While at a gathering with other nobleman, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo. “Here had we now our country’s honour roof’d, were the grac’d person of our Banquo present; who may I rather challenge for unkindness. Than pity for mischance!” (3.4.49). Macbeth is aware that what he has done is wrong and so his guilt is building up on him. The hallucinations in the play represent what the guilt is doing to Macbeth and how he is unable to escape …show more content…
This blood is there to show how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are only creating more guilt for themselves. This is first shown after Macbeth kills Duncan. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (2.2.77). Macbeth has so much blood on his hands that he does not believe he can wash it off. The blood represents the guilt that has stained him. Lady Macbeth also suffers from this guilt but she shows it later in the play. “Out damned spot! Out I say!” (5.1.32). Lady Macbeth reveals her guilt while sleepwalking. She imagines blood on her hands and she is trying to wash it off. The recurring role of blood in the play is there to remind Macbeth and Lady Macbeth of the crimes they have
When Macbeth is on his way to kill Duncan he sees a floating dagger. He tries to grab it, but is unsuccessful in doing so. “Is this a dagger which I see before me, the handle towards my hand? Come let me clutch thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.” (2.1.40) The dagger’s handle is pointing towards Macbeth and it indicates that he is a murderer no matter what he may try to tell himself. The second hallucination takes place after Macbeth has received news of Banquo’s murder from his servants. While at a gathering with other nobleman, Macbeth sees the ghost of Banquo. “Here had we now our country’s honour roof’d, were the grac’d person of our Banquo present; who may I rather challenge for unkindness. Than pity for mischance!” (3.4.49). Macbeth is aware that what he has done is wrong and so his guilt is building up on him. The hallucinations in the play represent what the guilt is doing to Macbeth and how he is unable to escape …show more content…
This blood is there to show how Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are only creating more guilt for themselves. This is first shown after Macbeth kills Duncan. “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand?” (2.2.77). Macbeth has so much blood on his hands that he does not believe he can wash it off. The blood represents the guilt that has stained him. Lady Macbeth also suffers from this guilt but she shows it later in the play. “Out damned spot! Out I say!” (5.1.32). Lady Macbeth reveals her guilt while sleepwalking. She imagines blood on her hands and she is trying to wash it off. The recurring role of blood in the play is there to remind Macbeth and Lady Macbeth of the crimes they have