by Andrew Schwartz

 In Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” blood and murder are highly symbolic. In the beginning of the play blood was shed so sin was committed. The events are altered when Lady Macbeth and Macbeth commit the king Duncan’s murder – heavens are not pleased and in order to repay the sin blood must be shed. This stage refers to human’s earth, now it is bloody that’s why heavens grow furious and seek redemption. Macbeth makes false assumptions and tries to re-establish true order of events when he encounters ghost of Banquo.

As facts unfold one after another it becomes obvious that Macbeth is wrong – the natural flow of events is altered with blood. The first Macbeth commits a murder he is still not sure whether it has been right. Lady Macbeth points out that he is afraid. Macbeth concludes that he was sorry about what he has done. But the situation is reserved with witches’ second temptation when he starts to think that he is omni powerful. Basically Macbeth tries to take all possible lives with him in his last battle. As he sees coming wooden shields he understands that he is predestined because witches prophesied that. Comparing to the first murder of King Duncan it becomes much easier to murder people for Macbeth. As play goes on the sin progresses. .

It is not possible to forgive Macbeth’s sin – only blood can wash it off to restore the set of events. With time Macbeth realizes this when he kills King Duncan, in contrast his wife denies it and eventually she goes crazy – it is the payment for being close-minded. There are two dimensions of blood in this case – the first one is that family ties play a big role when blood is shed and the second one is that everyone has to pay for murder. It has to be admitted that there is no worse sin than taking away someone’s life. Lady Macbeth cannot wash off her hands because drops of blood on people’s faces show direct relation to the sin. It interlinks with bible where sins of Eve and Adam were forgiven only when Christ was crucified.

That’s why Macbeth’s and Lady Macbeth’s sin won’t be forgiven until blood of Macbeth is shed to pay for it and the natural order is restored.

Andrew Schwartz

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