Macbeth Water Symbolism Analysis

The play Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s best. Many readers enjoyed the overall feel of the characters, the settings and the plot. However, the thing that struck people the most was the symbolism used in the play. Many of the natural objects had further symbolic meanings such as water. Water symbolized foreshadowing and the attempt to cleanse guilt through the actions of the witches, the Macbeth’s, and King Duncan’s death. Throughout the entire play, it seemed that the overall mood and weather displayed was eerie, dark, and rainy. Firstly, during Macbeth’s encounter with the witches, there had been a huge storm. Secondly, upon the arrival of King Duncan, a heavy down pour had started. Thirdly, during the coronation …show more content…
It was most likely set to foreshadow dark events in the near future. However, water did not only bring darkness upon the story of Macbeth, it had also brought a sense of purity and cleanliness along with it.

Although the Macbeth’s had gone through the dreadful scene of killing King Duncan willingly, they still felt the remorse and shame that followed. Their hands were full of blood, and as they tried to get rid of it with water, Macbeth exclaimed “Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No; this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.” (Macbeth, 83). In this quote, Macbeth has a mental breakdown while realizing that all the water in the world may physically wash away the blood but will never rid him of the guilt that came with it. He also believes that he has tainted the water, from green to red. While Macbeth is crumbling apart, Lady Macbeth tries to convince him that they are now cleared of the blood on their hands and of possible accusations, “A little water clears us of this deed: How easy is it then!” (Macbeth, 83). In that moment, Lady Macbeth was the strongest and smartest of the two. However, it would soon be too much for the new queen