Effects

Effects on Macbeth

Although the reader is most likely to say that blood symbolized guilt for Macbeth, I would like to counter that and say that, for Macbeth, blood most symbolized power. Yes, in the beginning, Macbeth felt terrible for what he had done, and it seemed as though Lady Macbeth was the mastermind behind everything. However, near the end, Lady Macbeth is portrayed as weak, leading me to believe that Macbeth could have stood his ground and refused to kill the king (had he so pleased.) Deep down he wanted to take charge and be in control and it took very little prying from his wife to get him to commit murder. After his first murder, the killing of King Duncan, Macbeth was ordering hits on everyone. Banquo and Fleance (although Fleance escaped) and Macduff's wife and son. Bloodshed gave Macbeth courage and power, both he seemingly loved receiving.

Effects on Lady Macbeth

Over the course of the play Lady Macbeth goes from a substantially strong character to a weak one. Although many are likely to hate her because, let's face it, she caused this whole mess, I would like to say that lady Macbeth showed more guilt for her wrong doings than Macbeth did. Near the end of the play Lady Macbeth sleep walks and continuously rubs her hands together, seemingly washing them. This is an obvious reference to the blood that marked both her's and her husband's hands after they killed King Duncan. Blood, for Lady Macbeth, is a symbol of her guilt and repentance for her crimes. She is even so overcome with guilt that, in Act V, she decides to kill herself.