Use Of Blood In Macbeth

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The use of blood throughout the play displays Macbeth and Lady Macbeth’s attitude towards murder and how their attitudes are reversed throughout the play. Lady Macbeth states, “Go get some water, and wash this filthy witness from your hand” (Shakespeare 2.2.45-46). Initially, Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to carry out the murder. Demanding Macbeth to wash his hands of blood, Lady Macbeth insists that Macbeth accepts the murder and moves on. After accepting the death, Macbeth’s guilt slowly fades and is replaced by a need for power. As power consumes Macbeth’s soul, he plans to kill Banquo so his children will not be crowned royalty. “It will have blood, they say: blood will have blood. Stones have been known to move and trees to speak” (3.5.123-124).