Blood Imagery in William Shakespeare's Macbeth

William Shakespeare wrote the Tragedy of Macbeth in approximately 1606 AD. He loosely based it on a historical event occurring around 1050 AD. Macbeth is the story of a nobleman, who, while trying to fulfill a prophecy told to him by three witches, murders his King to cause his ascension to the throne of Scotland. After the King's murder, Macbeth reigns as a cruel and ruthless tyrant, who is forced to kill more people to keep control …

…victorious. When Macduff, mentions blood, it speaks to justified bloodshed, and revenge. Shakespeare uses this blood imagery to enhance the audience's understanding of Macbeth's character. The audience has now witnessed the complete transformation of Macbeth. He begins as a noble, just and brave person, to becoming evil, ambitious, and treacherous during Duncan's murder, to his final feelings of remorse for his crime and finally, to the realization that he will be punished for his sins.