Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-7-madness-and-blood [Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [GCSE](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth.md) › Madness & Blood # Madness & Blood English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth, topic 6.2.7 ## Madness - Macbeth Duncan's murder causes Macbeth to go mad. Many see him as a mad ruler because of his tyrannical nature. ### **'Fil'd'** (3,1) ![**'Fil'd'** (3,1)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/2795b6c3-87c0-442c-8fa3-9c1f9742e2bf/shutterstock_229039786.jpg) - After the murder of King Duncan, Macbeth believes he has **‘fil’d’** his mind (defiled it). - This means that he has harmed his sanity and can’t have peace in his life: **'the gracious Duncan have I murder’d, / Put rancours in the vessel of my peace’.** Committing the murder has disturbed him. ### **‘O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!’** (3,2) ![**‘O, full of scorpions is my mind, dear wife!’** (3,2)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/05983f11-9bb0-4946-8e74-758da1d0bfa3/shutterstock_246919222.jpg) - This is said by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth. - This metaphor suggests that he cannot control his thoughts and that he lives under a constant threat. ### **‘This is the very painting of your fear; / This is the air-drawn dagger which you said / Led you to Duncan. ... ** ![**‘This is the very painting of your fear; / This is the air-drawn dagger which you said / Led you to Duncan. ... **](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/42ed9ba8-8dac-4de6-a0eb-67c252438757/shutterstock_735136855.jpg) - ** ... O’ these flaws and starts, / Impostors to true fear, would well become / A woman’s story at a winter’s fire.’** - When Macbeth sees Banquo’s ghost, Lady Macbeth is angry. - With those words, she tells him it is his imagination, that he is seeing things that old women talk about in fairy tales. ### **‘Some say he’s mad; others that lesser hate him / Do call it valiant fury’** (5,2). ![**‘Some say he’s mad; others that lesser hate him / Do call it valiant fury’** (5,2).](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/cca3eaa4-b48e-4f8b-8d8d-535640b7d5d4/shutterstock_658706440.jpg) - This is what Caithness says about Macbeth before the English army advances on Dunsinane. - Many people think Macbeth's mad. His rule has become tyrannical and his supporters are abandoning him. He seems to be losing control. - Menteth thinks that this is because of Macbeth’s own inner turmoil (disorder). Killing King Duncan was so unnatural that he must feel torn inside: **‘Who then shall blame / His pester’d senses to recoil and start / When all that is within does condemn / Itself for being there’** (5,2). ## Madness - Lady Macbeth By Act 5, Lady Macbeth has gone mad and is seen sleepwalking. ### **‘Here’s the smell of the blood still; all the perfumes of / Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O’** (5,1). ![**‘Here’s the smell of the blood still; all the perfumes of / Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. O, O, O’** (5,1).](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/2111d447-efbd-4cfe-b764-a238734b45d3/shutterstock_653862874.jpg) - This is an example of how Lady Macbeth’s words when sleepwalking show all the emotions and thoughts that she keeps bottled up when she is awake. - She is clearly distressed. This is shown by her cries of **‘O’**. The adjective **‘little’** describing her hand makes her seem childlike and innocent. ### **‘My hands are of your colour, but I shame / To wear a heart so white’** and **‘A little water clears us of this deed’** (2,2). ![**‘My hands are of your colour, but I shame / To wear a heart so white’** and **‘A little water clears us of this deed’** (2,2).](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/16e10a8c-7ab9-4057-9628-fac38496d696/shutterstock_130319984.jpg) - This is what Lady Macbeth says after they commit murder. It is very different from what she says when sleepwalking. - It’s clear that her subconscious (the part of your mind that notices and remembers information when you are not actively trying to do so) thinks that she can never get rid of the guilt that she feels from the murder. ## Blood Blood symbolises many different things in _Macbeth_: ### **‘smok’d with bloody execution’** (1,2) ![**‘smok’d with bloody execution’** (1,2)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/344d6b2f-14fb-4532-bc27-dd81ada80b1e/shutterstock_438029800.jpg) - These words are used to describe Macbeth's sword and symbolise his bravery. ### **‘bloody business’** (2,1) ![**‘bloody business’** (2,1)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/0a44d882-57e8-4016-8376-2c2b0ae30a90/shutterstock_493913131.jpg) - This is how Macbeth calls the plot to commit murder. - He believes that his visions are a consequence of the plot. - For example, the dagger that he sees as a vision becomes covered in blood. ### **‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / ... ** ![**‘Will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood / ... **](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/e2f56b6d-308f-46d4-a56c-38d8c0f1cb3d/shutterstock_130319984.jpg) - Clean from my hand? No: this my hand will rather / The multitudinous seas incarnadine, / Making the green one red’ (2,2). - These words suggest that Macbeth doesn’t think he will be able to wash the blood from his hands after King Duncan’s murder. - He thinks the blood is so great that it will stain the ocean red if he tries to clean his hands. - Blood symbolises the size of his crime: he will never be able to clean away the evidence of what he has done because it is so horrible. - The blood might wash away, but the memory of it, and the threat of consequences, will always be there. ### **‘the nea’er in blood, / The nearer bloody.’** ![**‘the nea’er in blood, / The nearer bloody.’**](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/c1408ee7-4344-4d14-8546-1a6d264ce22c/shutterstock_411983749.jpg) - This is how Donalbain warns Malcolm after King Duncan’s body is discovered. - Blood here represents lineage and that they have the blood of their father in their veins. They are at risk of whoever has killed him harming them. ### **‘It will have blood they say: blood will have blood’** (3,5). ![**‘It will have blood they say: blood will have blood’** (3,5).](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/977178d1-1781-4c33-8a03-43f07b0540c7/shutterstock_535392865.jpg) - This is said by Macbeth to Lady Macbeth. - This suggests that murder will lead to other murders and consequences. There will be retribution (punishment) if you kill. - He says: **‘I am in blood / Stepp’d in so far that I should wade no more’.** It is impossible for Macbeth to go back now. ### **‘Out, damned spot! Out, I say!’** (5,1) ![**‘Out, damned spot! Out, I say!’** (5,1)](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/474e7ec8-e3ae-42aa-b16f-a7c7400b8e28/shutterstock_628958558.jpg) - This is said by Lady Macbeth when she sleepwalks and symbolises that she cannot get rid of the blood that she imagines is on her hands. - Again, blood represents the crimes that she has committed. ## Test yourself on Madness & Blood [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/155ff5e0-374d-11e8-b1d7-1d16c592d2f8/section/87a65fbb-91dc-423a-9725-05d511a86ba3/session) - Previous topic: [6.2.6 Lady Macbeth's Masculinity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-6-lady-macbeths-masculinity.md) - Next topic: [6.2.8 Men, Children & Sleep](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-8-men-children-and-sleep.md) ## English Lit: AQA GCSE Macbeth contents ### 1 Literary & Cultural Context - 1.1 Context - [1.1.1 Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-1-tragedy.md) - [1.1.2 The Supernatural](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-2-the-supernatural.md) - [1.1.3 Gender](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-3-gender.md) - [1.1.4 Politics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-4-politics.md) - [1.1.5 Monarchy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-5-monarchy.md) - [1.1.6 End of Topic Test - Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/1-1-6-end-of-topic-test-context.md) ### 2 Plot Summary - 2.1 Act 1 - [2.1.1 Scenes 1 & 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-1-scenes-1-and-2.md) - [2.1.2 Scene 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-2-scene-3.md) - [2.1.3 Scenes 4-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-3-scenes-4-5.md) - [2.1.4 Scenes 6-7](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-4-scenes-6-7.md) - [2.1.5 End of Topic Test - Act 1](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-1-5-end-of-topic-test-act-1.md) - 2.2 Acts 2-4 - [2.2.1 Act 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-2-1-act-2.md) - [2.2.2 Act 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-2-2-act-3.md) - [2.2.3 Act 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-2-3-act-4.md) - 2.3 Act 5 - [2.3.1 Scenes 1-3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-1-scenes-1-3.md) - [2.3.2 Scenes 4-8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-2-scenes-4-8.md) - [2.3.3 End of Topic Test - Acts 2-5](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-3-end-of-topic-test-acts-2-5.md) - [2.3.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Ambiguous Ending](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-ambiguous-ending.md) - [2.3.5 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Jacobean](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/2-3-5-diagnostic-misconceptions-jacobean.md) ### 3 Characters - 3.1 Macbeth - [3.1.1 Hero vs Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-1-hero-vs-villain.md) - [3.1.2 Ambition & Fate](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-2-ambition-and-fate.md) - [3.1.3 Relationship](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-3-relationship.md) - [3.1.4 Unstable](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-4-unstable.md) - [3.1.5 Tyrant](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-5-tyrant.md) - [3.1.6 End of Topic Test - Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-6-end-of-topic-test-macbeth.md) - [3.1.7 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Cowardice](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-7-diagnostic-misconceptions-cowardice.md) - [3.1.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Madness](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-madness.md) - [3.1.9 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Power](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-1-9-diagnostic-misconceptions-power.md) - 3.2 Lady Macbeth - [3.2.1 Masculine & Ruthless](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-1-masculine-and-ruthless.md) - [3.2.2 Manipulative & Disturbed](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-2-manipulative-and-disturbed.md) - [3.2.3 Diagnostic Misconceptions - NOT a Man](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-3-diagnostic-misconceptions-not-a-man.md) - [3.2.4 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Villain](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-2-4-diagnostic-misconceptions-villain.md) - 3.3 Other Characters - [3.3.1 Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-1-banquo.md) - [3.3.2 The Witches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-2-the-witches.md) - [3.3.3 Exam-Style Questions - The Witches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-3-exam-style-questions-the-witches.md) - [3.3.4 King Duncan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-4-king-duncan.md) - [3.3.5 Macduff](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-5-macduff.md) - [3.3.6 End of Topic Test - Lady Macbeth & Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-6-end-of-topic-test-lady-macbeth-and-banquo.md) - [3.3.7 End of Topic Test - Witches, Duncan & Macduff](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-7-end-of-topic-test-witches-duncan-and-macduff.md) - [3.3.8 Diagnostic Misconceptions - Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-3-8-diagnostic-misconceptions-banquo.md) - 3.4 Grade 9 - Key Characters - [3.4.1 Grade 9 - Lady Macbeth Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/3-4-1-grade-9-lady-macbeth-questions.md) ### 4 Themes - 4.1 Themes - [4.1.1 Power & Ambition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-1-power-and-ambition.md) - [4.1.2 Power & Ambition HyperLearning](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-2-power-and-ambition-hyperlearning.md) - [4.1.3 Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-3-violence.md) - [4.1.4 The Supernatural](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-4-the-supernatural.md) - [4.1.5 Masculinity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-5-masculinity.md) - [4.1.6 Armour, Kingship & The Natural Order](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-6-armour-kingship-and-the-natural-order.md) - [4.1.7 Appearances & Deception](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-7-appearances-and-deception.md) - [4.1.8 Madness & Blood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-8-madness-and-blood.md) - [4.1.9 Women, Children & Sleep](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-9-women-children-and-sleep.md) - [4.1.10 End of Topic Test - Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-10-end-of-topic-test-themes.md) - [4.1.11 End of Topic Test - Themes 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-1-11-end-of-topic-test-themes-2.md) - 4.2 Grade 9 - Themes - [4.2.1 Grade 9 - Themes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-2-1-grade-9-themes.md) - [4.2.2 Extract Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/4-2-2-extract-analysis.md) ### 5 Writer's Techniques - 5.1 Structure, Meter & Other Literary Techniques - [5.1.1 Structure, Meter & Dramatic Irony](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/5-1-1-structure-meter-and-dramatic-irony.md) - [5.1.2 Pathetic Fallacy & Symbolism](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/5-1-2-pathetic-fallacy-and-symbolism.md) - [5.1.3 End of Topic Test - Writer's Techniques](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/5-1-3-end-of-topic-test-writers-techniques.md) ### 6 Recap: Main Quotes - 6.1 Characters Quotes - [6.1.1 Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-1-macbeth.md) - [6.1.2 Macbeth 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-2-macbeth-2.md) - [6.1.3 Macbeth 3](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-3-macbeth-3.md) - [6.1.4 Macbeth 4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-4-macbeth-4.md) - [6.1.5 Lady Macbeth](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-5-lady-macbeth.md) - [6.1.6 Lady Macbeth 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-6-lady-macbeth-2.md) - [6.1.7 Banquo](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-7-banquo.md) - [6.1.8 Banquo 2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-8-banquo-2.md) - [6.1.9 The Witches](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-9-the-witches.md) - [6.1.10 King Duncan](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-10-king-duncan.md) - [6.1.11 Macduff](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-11-macduff.md) - [6.1.12 Extra Questions](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-1-12-extra-questions.md) - 6.2 Text Structure - Quotes - [6.2.1 Violence](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-1-violence.md) - [6.2.2 The Supernatural](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-2-the-supernatural.md) - [6.2.3 Ambition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-3-ambition.md) - [6.2.4 Armour, Kingship & the Natural Order](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-4-armour-kingship-and-the-natural-order.md) - [6.2.5 Appearances & Deception](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-5-appearances-and-deception.md) - [6.2.6 Lady Macbeth's Masculinity](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-6-lady-macbeths-masculinity.md) - [6.2.7 Madness & Blood](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-7-madness-and-blood.md) - [6.2.8 Men, Children & Sleep](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/gcse/english-literature/aqa/macbeth/6-2-8-men-children-and-sleep.md)