Tuesday, June 25, 2013

What is the purpose for the extreme use of blood in "Macbeth"?

Blood is thicker than water they say.  The purpose for blood in the play is two-fold.  It shows the grotesque crime of murder and it reiterates the crime against family members.

First, "who knew the old man had so much blood in him?"  The murder of Duncan.  Not only is he the step up to the crown, but he is family.  He is the ruler to whom Macbeth pledged his loyalty, but he is also Macbeth's blood relative.  Duncan is also a guest in Macbeth's home.  All of these bonds were ignored by Macbeth, and so there must be an extraordinary amount of blood to show all the extent of his crime against nature.  Both of the Macbeths are covered in the old man's blood which Lady Macbeth says is "cleared with a little water".

Banquo's ghost "shakes his gory locks" at Macbeth after the new king has ordered the murders of Banquo (Macbeth's best friend) and Fleance (Banquo's son).  Again, the murderer shows up with blood on his face indicating that Macbeth is guilty of crimes against nature. 

Guilt is another reason so much blood is used in the play. Lady Macbeth sleepwalks still trying to clean herself of the blood of Duncan.  She also mentions Banquo and Lady Macduff's murders in her sleepwalking stint which points to her guilt and to her husband for committing these horrific crimes.

Once Macbeth is slain by Macduff, the amount of blood in the play isn't mentioned so much.  It is only focused on when we talk of the evil.

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