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Blood is everywhere in Macbeth, beginning with the opening battle between the Scots and the Norwegian invaders, which is described in harrowing terms by the wounded captain in Act 1, scene 2. Once Macbeth and Lady Macbeth embark upon their murderous journey, blood comes to symbolize their guilt, and they begin to feel that their crimes have stained them in a way that cannot be washed clean. "Will all great Neptune's ocean wash this blood / Clean from my hand?" Macbeth cries after he has killed Duncan, even as his wife scolds him and says that a little water will do the job (2.2.58-59). Later, though, she comes to share his horrified sense of being stained: "Out, damned spot; out, I say . . . who would have thought the old man to have had so much blood in him?" she asks as she wanders through the halls of their castle near the close of the play (5.1.30-34). Blood symbolizes the guilt that sits like a permanent stain on the consciences of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, one that hounds them to their graves.
(refrence: Sparknotes)
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoSalvation, or at least freedom from guilt. "A little water clears us of this deed".
The word is used only five times in the play: twice with reference to washing away blood, once as part of the name of a breed of dog, once meaning urine and once in the quotation "The earth has bubbles as the water has."
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Who does Shakespeare supposedly represent in Macbeth?
ambition
Both lady Macbeth Macbeth comment on the water cleaning their involvement in the deed?
yes, they do
Who is Neptune in Macbeth?
The Roman god of water and of the sea.
What does lady Macbeth tell Macbeth to do when he is worried about hearing a voice saying Macbeth does murder sleep?
"Go get some water, and wash this filthy witness from your hand." In other words, she is trying to distract him.
What does the Crowned Child in the second apparition of Macbeth represent?
The crowned child tells Macbeth that he only needs to worry if the forest at the bottom of the hill begins to move up the hill. This "hill" is the one that Macbeth's castle is on.
Who does Shakespeare supposedly represent in Macbeth?
ambition
What characters in Macbeth represent the occult?
The three witches.
What do the three witches represent in macbeth?
The three witches in Macbeth represent fate, the supernatural, and the destructive potential of unchecked ambition. They serve as instigators of Macbeth's downfall by providing prophecies that manipulate his actions and lead him to his tragic end.
How does Shakespeare represent Male and Female relationships in Macbeth?
yes. i h
What does the water represent how about rock?
What does the water represent ? How about the rock ?
Both lady Macbeth Macbeth comment on the water cleaning their involvement in the deed?
yes, they do
Why is Macbeth at war with the future which babies and children represents?
Macbeth is at war with the future that babies and children represent because the witches' prophecies predict that Banquo's descendants, not Macbeth's, will inherit the throne. Macbeth sees these innocent generations as a threat to his own power and is willing to commit atrocities to secure his reign.
What is whetstone is used for Macbeth?
In "Macbeth," the whetstone is symbolically used to represent the sharpening of Macbeth's ambition and desire for power. It is also a metaphor for how Lady Macbeth spurs him on to commit murder by goading him to "prove his manhood" through violence. Overall, the whetstone is a powerful image that highlights the characters' descent into darkness and moral corruption.
Who is Neptune in Macbeth?
The Roman god of water and of the sea.
What does lady Macbeth suggest Macbeth use to wash Duncan's blood from his hands?
Lady Macbeth suggests that Macbeth should wash Duncan's blood off his hands with water, stating that "a little water clears us of this deed." She believes that simply washing the blood away will remove the guilt associated with the murder.
What does the spot represent in Macbeth?
The spot represents the guilt and psychological burden of Lady Macbeth and Macbeth. It symbolizes their conscience and the irreversible consequences of their actions, particularly the murder of King Duncan. The spot cannot be washed away, showing that their guilt will haunt them forever.
What does lady Macbeth's disturbed sleep represent?
Lady Macbeth's disturbed sleep represents her guilty conscience and inner turmoil over the crimes she and Macbeth have committed. Her sleepwalking and hallucinations reveal the psychological weight of their actions on her mind and spirit.
