The first reference of blood is one of honor, and occurs when Duncan sees the injured sergeant and asks, "What bloody man is that?”(1.2.1) This is symbolic of the brave fighter who had been injured in a valiant battle for his country. In the next passage, in which the sergeant speaks, he refers to Macbeth’s sword "Which smoked with bloody execution"(1.2.18). He is referring to Macbeth's bravery in which his sword is covered in the hot blood of the enemy. These few passages also describe blood as being symbolic of loyalty as Macbeth is described cutting through the enemy in defense of his country.

After these few references to honor, the symbol of blood now changes

Blood comes to represent absolute evil and pure butchery as the plot moves toward it’s conception. Macbeth, not able to kill Macduff, decides instead to point his intent upon Macduff’s family and slaughter’s every one of them. Macbeth’s philosophy: “I am in blood/ Stepp'd in so far that, should I wade no more, Returning were as tedious as go o'er,”(3.4.135-137) describes his transition to pure evil as he continues to mercilessly slaughter other characters such as Banquo. Macbeth has become a bloody butcher full of absolute evil.

The blood has also come to symbolize a hope through Macbeth’s fear and guilt. A hope that Macbeth may never be overthrown. A bloody child, seen by Macbeth as he speaks with the witches once more, says to “Be bloody, bold, and resolute, laugh to scorn/The power of man, for none of woman born/Shall harm Macbeth.” (4.1.79-81) Macbeth sees an invincibility within himself as no man of a woman can harm him. Macbeth will but make double sure that there is no fear of Macduff.

As the blood turns Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to treachery and confusion, it comes to be a symbol of their guilt. Macbeth begins to feel guilt after Duncan’s murder and asks “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash the blood/Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather/The multitudinous seas inca

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