Symbolism In Macbeth Essay -- William Shakespeare

In William Shakespeares Macbeth, symbolism plays a prominent role to emphasize the theme of corruption of power. Throughout the play there are several main(prenominal) symbols repeatedly apply to emphasize this theme. The contrast of light and dark representing good and evil, blood representing wickedness, murder, and pain, and the archetypal pattern of purgation by using water represents removal of guilt, cleansing and peace. Symbolism is used repeatedly to emphasize the theme of corruption of power. The image of blood plays an important role throughout Macbeth. Blood represents the murders that Macbeth had committed, the guilt that went on with the murders and the pain that it brought on him during his downfall. The soldier describes the violence and bloodshed, in the war between Scotland and Norway, Except they meant to bathe in reeking wounds. (I. ii. 43) foreshadows the violent nature of the play change with murder, guilt and pain. Blood in the murder of King Duncan also plays a major role because it represents Macbeths guilt as well as his shame for instruction execution King Duncan. Macbeth observes his blood stained hands and remarks As they had seen me with these hangmans hands. (II. ii. 28) This reveals his guilt and shame because he is comparing his hands to those of an executioners. After the murder, Macbeth refuses to return back to the bed bedchamber of Kind Duncan to smear the blood on the sleeping guards, because he is afraid that the blood will incriminate him further. Lady Macbeth smearing the blood onto the guards represents them trying to rub their guilt off onto the guard. Ill gild the faces of the grooms withal, for it must seem their guilt (II. ii. 73) but this proves to be ineffective because Macbeth ends up murdering t... ... a dark setting used which involved marvellous events, while the light setting was used for last battle, when Macbeth was slain at the end to show the restoration of peace and honesty. Thus the symbolism of light and dimness representing good and evil in the play emphasizes the theme of corruption of power.In conclusion, symbolism is used to emphasize a theme through repetition and imagery. It is used to emphasize the theme of the corruption of power due to Macbeths actions. Blood representing guilt, blood murder, and pain, the contrast of light and dark representing good and evil and the archetypal pattern of purification by using water representing removal of guilt, cleansing and peace are the main symbols used repeatedly to emphasize this theme. These symbols portray the theme effectively to grant the audience to grasp and involve themselves into the play.