Symbols In Macbeth Research Paper

William Shakespeare enhances his play, Macbeth, by including a variety of motifs. “In a literary work, a motif can be seen as an image, sound, action or other figures that have a symbolic significance and contributes toward the development of theme,” (Literarydevices.net). In Macbeth, Shakespeare uses sleep, blood, hallucination, darkness and many other motifs to show importance in the play. Beginning with the battle between the Scots and the Norwegian invaders, blood is one of the most significant motifs that are presented in Macbeth. Shakespeare uses blood to symbolize power, courage and heroism as well as, death, cruelty and guilt.

DocViewer Page of 2 Zoom Pages A symbol is an object, action, or event that represents something or that creates a range of associations beyond itself. In literary works, a symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or enlarge literal meaning. Select a novel or play and, focusing on one symbol, write an essay analyzing how that symbol functions in the work and what it reveals about the characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.

Foreshadowing, irony and characterisation are used in William Shakespeare's play, Macbeth, to explore the ideas of violence, power, and gender. These stylistic techniques are presented through the start, middle and end of the play to highlight a diverse range of significant ideas consistently throughout the play.

Thesis: In the play Macbeth, one of the major themes that can be derived from the play is

Throughout the play "Macbeth" there have been many symbols that have been proven to be significant throughout the play. Of the many I will discuss the importance of The number three, the dagger, and Banquo's ghost.They are all always lingering in the play but not expressed in literal terms. A symbol is using an object or action that means something more than its literal meaning These symbols role in "Macbeth" are to provide a greater meaning to the play. Shakespeare has been known for creating plays that are enjoyable to read, the language is not so difficult once you are familiar with it. The symbols in the play, are significant because they make it possible for readers to interpret to their understanding, and still understand the

In The Tragedy of Hamlet, William Shakespeare captivates his audience in many ways by using a multitude of different literary techniques and devices. He is able to capture the attention of his audience by using said techniques and devices to portray the revenge-seeking Hamlet and his lover, Ophelia, as “crazy”. These techniques and devices include symbolism, allusion, character development, and the explicit use of themes and motifs. A symbol is defined as a thing that represents or stands for something else; and symbolism is the use of those symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

Shakespeare’s use of symbolism is shown to have a powerful and effective roll on the audience. Not only is symbolism used by Shakespeare, but by many different people worldwide. As Alfred Whitehead once said, “Symbolism is no mere idle fancy or corrupt egerneration: It is inherent in the very texture of human life.” Blood is the most important example of symbolism that is in Macbeth, written by Sir William Shakespeare, representing violence, guilt and death. Blood epitomizes violence in many different scenes throughout the play.

     The second type of literary device that Shakespeare uses in Macbeth is symbolism. The predominant symbol is blood and is used as an effective method to describe the theme of the play. Not only does blood symbolize bravery, it is also a means of showing treachery and treason and probably most importantly, guilt. One example of bravery occurs when the captain says, "For brave Macbeth—well he deserves that name--/Disdaining fortune, with his brandished steel,/Which smoked with bloody execution"(1.2.16-18). Soon after this blood changes into a representation of treachery and treason. Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to "Make thick my blood,/ Stop up th’ access and passage to remorse" (1.5. 43-44). She asks the spirits to take away compassion and make her remorseless for the actions she is about to take. Also, when Ross asks, "Is’t known who did this more than bloody deed?" (2.4.22), he tries to figure out who performed the disloyal act of murdering the king. Blood is also used many times to express the guilt-ridden consciences of the characters. For instance, Macbeth says, "What hands are here? Ha! They pluck out mine own eyes!/ Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash the blood/ Clean from my hand?" (2.3.58-60). Macbeth obviously feels guilty for killing Duncan in cold blood. Later in the play, Lady Macbeth

In the tragedy written by William Shakespeare, the play Macbeth uses the language features symbolism, motif, and dramatic irony to help portray the significant ideas of guilt, appearances versus reality, and ambition. This is shown through the symbol of blood which links to the idea of how guilt has the power to destroy us, the motif light versus dark which links to the idea of how the appearances we see may not be the reality, and the use of dramatic irony which portrays how ambition can lead to us abandoning our morals. The symbolism of blood describes the significant idea that guilt has the power to destroy us emotionally and physically. In act two scene two of this tragedy written by Shakespeare, Macbeth asks, “Will all great Neptune’s

In Macbeth, Shakespeare use the motif of sleep and sleeplessness to represent Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s consciences. In Act 2, Scene 2, when Macbeth killed King Duncan for his selfish greed, he almost gone mad that night. “Still it cried ‘Sleep no more!’ to all the house: Glamis hath murdered sleep, and therefore Cawdor, Shall sleep no more: Macbeth shall sleep no more!”(line 54-57).

William Shakespeare’s play, “Macbeth,” explains the tales of a Scottish noble aiming to become the future King of Scotland. The Scottish noble, Macbeth, is driven by his selfish desires to murder King Duncan and steal his throne. Along the way, Macbeth’s guilt and paranoia begin to take over, causing him to make unacceptable decisions. Throughout the play, Shakespeare uses several motifs to further explain his ideas. A motif is a recurring element or symbol that is seen

Symbolism is the practice of representing peoples, places, objects, and ideas by means of symbols or of attributing symbolic meanings or significance to objects, events, or relationships. Most great works of literature seem to include some degree of symbolism. Accordingly, Shakespeare’s Macbeth exhibits a great deal of symbolism. One heavily used symbol is that of blood. In Macbeth, blood symbolizes murder and guilt, and Shakespeare uses this symbol to characterize Macbeth and Lady Macbeth.

After closley readig William Shakspeares Macbeth a central idea develps ahving to do with guilt. The author develops this central idea throughout the text by using writing strategys. One of the strategies portrayed is symblism. Symbolism helps develop the central idea because of Macbeth and Lady MAcbeths feeling after the multiple murders. Their sleeping behaviors, their hallucinations of blood and floating bloody daggers and a few more. In the end, you will always feel a bit of guilt whether it be shown emotionaly or physicaly. The feeling of guilt can and will destroy somebody. Shakespeake presents this very clearly throughout the play, and symbolism plays a big role in creating this central

The most interesting aspect of Macbeth’s character is that it is flawed. The audience can identify with his human frailties. Despite the fact that Macbeth commits evil and is drawn to the successes he thinks evil can provide him, one can tell he has goodness in him. Shakespeare reveals Macbeth’s moral development through the use of symbolism in the soliloquys which portray

In the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare, imagery is used to set the tone of a passage, provide contrast and irony to scenes, and help to display character. Shakespeare applies the imagery of clothing, darkness, and blood in an exceptional manner to describe his play. Each one of these is an important symbol used throughout the play. They add to a complete understanding of a passage or the play as a whole.