Darkness And Evil In Macbeth

A.C. Bradley wrote that about Macbeth: “darkness, we may even say blackness, broods over this tragedy... all the scenes which at once recur to memory take place either at night or in some dark spot.” The Tragedy of Macbeth contains many instances where darkness is represented and portrayed whether it occurs at night or the actions. Many actions that were completed by Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and the prophecies told by the witches, all have corrupt intentions or outcomes.

In this quote, blood symbolizes how guilt causes mental turmoil. Macbeth now always has this evil side of him that won't disappear. Shakespeare wanted to emphasize how since Macbeth now

Macbeth has no shortage of darkness, and it does a good job making the reader feel creeped out. However, that's not darkness’ only purpose in the play. In the beginning, a noble thane named Macbeth starts out a hero when he defeats an enemy in battle. Once he falls into the trap of his own toxic ambition, though, things go downhill. He turns away from the light- in other words, loyalty to his king- and lets darkness and evil lead him to become the hated tyrant of Scotland. Throughout the storyline, darkness and light are used as imagery to represent bad events that are about to happen, death and life, and the contrast between good and evil. Its purposes play a key role in developing the plot and the characters.

Blood is recognized by many scholars to be one of the central symbols throughout Macbeth. Through the story it can

Macbeth’s sense of self seems to diminish as he comes to reality with what he has done and who he has hurt. This leads to him to not being able to sleep because he has “murdered and therefore/Cawdor/Shall sleep no more. Macbeth shall sleep no more” (2.2.55-57). By him not sleeping it shows that he is going crazy, and is not ok with what has happened. Losing his sense of self is also slowly killing his mental state. His conscience is guilty which makes him think less of himself. When Banquo’s ghost appears it makes Macbeth feel as if he were dead. Wanting Banquo to “Take any shape but that,” because he wants him to “be alive again/And dare [him] to the desert with thy sword” (3.4.124-126). When Macbeth’s fears are confirmed about the line of kings all in the image of Banquo his future is shaken. Once being trusted friends this also helps to twist his mental state; and not for the good. Also by him not being stable Macbeth starts hallucinating and feels tempted to grasp what he sees and use it. These visions are a

Throughout the play, there is a numerous amount of symbols that play a highly important role. Specifically, the blood is a symbol that cannot be ignored. Not only does this blood belong to the King and relevant character in the story, but this blood causes the main character to get mental disorientation and hallucinations. Throughout the play, the blood symbolizes Macbeth’s fear, audacity, and most importantly, his guilt.

Blood is usually considered to be something related to abhorrence and wrongdoing. However, in the play Macbeth, Shakespeare associates blood with a variety of different atmospheres. Ideas of guilt, betrayal, and honor are established in this tragedy with the use of this symbolism. Blood and bloodiness can be traced all throughout the drama signifying these ideas. Although the uses of blood produce many different effects, all are used to symbolize death. All throughout Macbeth, Shakespeare uses the motif of blood to establish the themes of honor, betrayal, and his character’s constant guilt.

Sarah Katradis Ms. Steele ENG2DE-01 21 February 2024. Light and Darkness in Macbeth: Exploring Symbolism Within the Play The association between light and darkness with good and evil is deeply ingrained in cultures and has existed in human societies for centuries. Light is often associated with positivity and represents purity and truth. On the other hand, darkness is typically associated with negativity and deception.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth is a story of a man whose ambition and fear gets him the crown but the consequences of his actions catch up to him. In Shakespeare’s Macbeth many ideas, or motifs are prevalent throughout the story. Some motifs help with character development, explaining situations, or giving a bigger or better meaning to what is there.

At this point in the play, the image of blood is undoubtedly becoming more intense as Macbeth is beginning to expedite the prophecy of the witches (I.iii.50-53). Originally, blood referred to murder, and

A.C. Bradley wrote about Macbeth: “darkness, we may even say blackness, broods over this tragedy … all the scenes which at once recur to memory take place either at night or in some dark spot.” A.C. Bradley’s statement invites the reader to rack their memory of all of the events within Macbeth and his claim holds true. The feud between light and darkness directly displays good versus evil and once one realizes this simple point forgetting it can be a challenge. The actions of man also directly affect the universe which advocates the thought from A.C. Bradley and shows how the night and evil deeds go hand in hand. Three events within Macbeth that add to the foundation of A.C. Bradley statement include the opening scene with the witches, the murder of King Duncan, and the murder of Banquo.

Macbeth Essay The Shakespearean tragedy, Macbeth, written by William Shakespeare, is a tale about a man who wrongfully works his way up to power believing he was invincible, only to be brought down by an unsuspected hero through a loophole in the prophecy presaged by the three witch sisters. Some argue that Macbeth is a victim of the Witches’ misleading prophecies, others believe the Witches’ only revealed the darkness already inside of him. Everybody is filled with a bit of darkness. All it takes is someone or something to reveal that darkness that’s always been hidden away inside.

“But in these cases we still have judgement here that we but teach bloody instructions which being taught return to plague the inventor,” (I ii 7-10). When Macbeth says these words, it is when we begin to get the full picture of the play and how powerful the image of blood really is. Throughout the play the symbol of blood changes meaning. It starts with blood representing honour and pride for your country and develops into treason and treachery. At the end of the play we see it had blossomed into guilt. Blood is an essential part of life and the same is true in Macbeth.

The Viewers have known blood to all of us to represent life, death and often injury. Blood is an essential part of life and without blood, we could not live. This is known to everyone, and because of this, when Shakespeare uses the imagery of blood to represent treason, guilt, murder and death. The audience have easily understands it and fits it in perfectly with the ideas we have of blood. Blood is the most prominent and seems to be the most important imagery of Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’.

Good vs. Evil is a common theme in the play Macbeth. All of the characters are caught up in the battle between what is good and what is not. Macbeth makes a shift in his character from being good to turning evil. Lady Macbeth remains evil the whole time and tries to control Macbeth. The struggles that Lady Macbeth and Macbeth face exemplify the battle of good v. evil.