Does William Shakespeare write with blood pouring from his pen? Do the violent images that his colors produce play a role in the tragedy, Macbeth? It is Shakespeare’s creative mind that produces each drop of blood that is evident with every new line of thought. Within Macbeth, an entire spectrum of colors helps develop and reveal the plot as each color brings a new meaning. William Shakespeare understands the importance of violence and bloodshed to assist in creating a suspenseful atmosphere, which will bring to the surface true emotions of guilt, regret, and remorse. He also knows that color images that are light in color easily associate with things that are wholesome. Contrary to light, shades of nightfall or darkness are indicative of wickedness. Shakespeare writes with a sense of realism that allows him to touch the emotions of any audience, whether they are living on the desolate poles of the earth or within a mighty nation. The common struggle between good and evil or light and dark is a thought of universal understanding and sympathy. Through color imagery, the characters leap from the stage of fiction into the reality of the audience. In Macbeth, the color images of light, darkness, and blood reveal, conceal, and control the emotions and actions, whether good or bad, of the characters. The image of daylight in Macbeth magnifies emotions and actions that are heavenly and pure. Shakespeare uses the stars of twilight often to reveal the honorable morality within his characters. According to Caroline Spurgeon, “light stands for life, virtue, goodness and darkness for evil and death (324).” The first instance of this occurs when King Duncan promises that all that deserve reward will receive reward for their heroic effort in the wars. “But signs of nobleness, like stars, shall shine on all deservers (1.4.41).” The comparison between ‘stars and nobleness’ aids the audienc...
