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Usage of blood and ghosts in Macbeth

            In the play Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the images of blood and ghosts to show that as evil as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth seem to be they both still have strong consciences. Shakespeare uses both these images to create a topic of thought for the reader. The images that appear show that they both have guilty feelings about what they did and makes you think about it more. There are many different ways that Shakespeare uses them to create guilt in the characters throughout the story.
             In act 2 scene 1 Macbeth sees a dagger hovering in the air and leading him to Duncan's room and he says "on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood" meaning that someone has stabbed Duncan and the blood from the murder has sprayed everywhere. Macbeth also makes many other references to blood throughout his lines which most of the time connect towards his guilty conscience.
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             But Lady Macbeth is also burdened with the imagery of blood to represent that the murder is weighing on her conscience. In act 5 scene one when Lady Macbeth is sleepwalking she says "Out damned spot! Out, I say" referring to the "blood" that "stained" her after her making Macbeth kill Duncan. She also refers to Duncan's murder saying "Yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him!" saying that he got blood everywhere.
             When Banquo's ghost showed up at Macbeth's Banquet it symbolized Macbeth's guilt towards his murder. If Macbeth hadn't felt bad about the murder of Banquo, he would not have seen his ghost haunting him. The fact that Banquo's ghost was sitting in Macbeth's chair also symbolized further guilt and maybe even regret. He was sitting in Macbeths chair so that Macbeth would have to notice he was there and even cause a scene because his chair was occupied, which his mind would only do to prove the guilt was deep.
             During the whole play, references are made to both ghosts and blood. The blood is usually representing treason and the presence of conscience in the characters.


Essays Related to Usage of blood and ghosts in Macbeth

1. The Ghost of Banquo in Macbeth

In the William Shakespeare play, Macbeth, the presence of Banquo's ghost explicitly shows the mental deterioration of Macbeth, whereas Lady Macbeth is cunning and covers up for her husband; although she does not see Banquo's ghost. ... Macbeth loses his mental state as Banquo's ghost makes Macbeth paranoid with all of the guilt he feels. ... Macbeth commands the ghost to, "Avaunt and quit my sight! ... Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold; Thou hast no speculation in those eyes Which thou dost glare with" (III.iv.93-96). ... Macbeth is fearful of the ghost, but ...

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2. Blood as a Motif in Macbeth

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3. Macbeth: Blood Imagery

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4. Macbeth and the Supernatural

The appearance of Banquo's ghost provides insight into Macbeth's character. The ghost serves to show the path that Macbeth could have chosen, as well as a reminder of Macbeth's previous deeds. The ghost admonishes Macbeth of the horrors he has committed to gain the crown, and the innocent blood spilled by his actions. When Macbeth sees the ghost he reacts with horror and upsets the guests at the banquet. ... The dagger appears to be covered in blood, and leads Macbeth to Duncan's room. ...

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6. macbeth

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7. Blood Imagery in Macbeth

Blood imagery serves two purposes in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth. ... Of course there is no ghost. ... Macbeth's imagination is now full of blood, and he plans further murders. ... Lady Macbeth kills herself just prior to that, having found just how much blood the old man had in him. Macbeth says to Macduff, "My hands are already charged with too much blood of thine", alluding to the murder of Macduff's family and servants. ...

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9. Blood Imagery in Macbeth

Perhaps the best way to show how the symbol of blood changes throughout the play is to follow the character changes in Macbeth. ... In the next passage, in which the sergeant says, "Which smok'd with bloody execution", he is referring to Macbeth's braveness in which his sword is covered in the hot blood of the enemy. ... Lady Macbeth knows that the evidence of blood is a treacherous symbol, and knows it will deflect the guilt from her and Macbeth to the servants when she says "smear the sleepy grooms with blood."" and "If he do bleed, I'll gild the faces of the groom...

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