"If music be the food of love, play on." A line so remarkable from William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night shows the sensitive and loving side of man. However, in Macbeth, with the same literary device- motifs, moods, metaphors, similes, personification, and contrasts- he is able to illustrate the fall of man in to a "river of blood."

After Shakespeare establishes the heroism of Macbeth who courageously fights for his country, his king, and his honor, he enhances the plot with a blood motif. Macbeth's sword smokes with "blood execution" (Act I sc. iii #20) as he makes his way to face Macdonwald, the traitor. Ironically, blood spilled here serves to stabilize Scotland. As a further contrast to Macbeth's noble character, Shakespeare has preceded the introduction of Macbeth with the evil witches who meet in "thunder, lightning, and rain," (Act I sc I) enhancing the evil mood. Their supernatural existence adds...