Macbeth - Symbols :: essays research papers

Throughout Shakespeares Macbeth, numerous symbols are used. Many of these depict characters actions and appearances, emotions, and events that carry happened previously in the play. Although there are many symbols used all through the play, there are three important groups of symbols that are used to the highest degree regularly. These are blood, sleep and animals, which all have different representations.Blood is an important symbol that is used continuously in the play. In the beginning of the play, blood is something which represents fearlessness and bravery. Those who fought and created blood were thought to be heroic. However, towards the end of the play, blood has become something which everyone fears, it is evil, and symbolises guilt and assassinate. An example of this can be found in act three, scene four, showtime at line one hundred and twenty-threeMacbethIt depart have blood, they say blood will have blood.Stones have been known to move and trees to declareAugures a nd understood relations haveBy maggot-pies and choughs and rooks brought forthThe secretst man of blood. What is the night?The first line signifies that those who are involved in bloody crimes, will someday become victims of them. It is saying that people are always punished at some time in their lives for their wrong doings. The statement also signifies that murder and violence are something that Macbeth is very familiar with. Using blood as a symbol in this passage makes it somehow more emotional and gets its speckle across while making the viewer or reader think. The symbol of blood is used extremely well all throughout the play.Sleep is another(prenominal) of the important symbols used in the play. Sleep signifies the nature and essence of a person, and is something which is very peaceful and innocent. Sleep begins in this way in Macbeth, but as the play progresses, it becomes something that people fear. The characters dont feel safe to sleep, as they are afraid that they will become victims of death if they do. An example that demonstrates this can be found in act two, scene two, from line thirty-four onwardsMacbethMethought I heard a voice cry Sleep no moreMacbeth does murder sleep the innocent sleep,Sleep that knits up the raveled sleave of care,The death of each days life, sore labors bath,Balm of hurt minds, prominent natures second course,Chief nourisher in lifes feast ---Lady MacWhat do you mean?MacbethStill it cried Sleep no more to all the house