The imagery and symbolism of the dagger is used throughout the play as, it elevates and reinforces the guilt and ambition within the characters throughout the play. The strong symbolism of the dagger in the play leads Macbeth to the start of his downfall. He states, “When we have marked with blood those sleepy two/Of his own chamber and used their very daggers,/That they have done ’t?” (Shakespeare I, vii, 75-78). During the planning of Duncan’s death Macbeth makes regular attempts to back out and maintain his spotless honor and dignity as a loyal Thane of the King. The dagger symbolize death and subsequent guilt which overtake Macbeth’s thoughts at the moment when he discusses Duncan’s demise; he is already feeling guilty for the mere speculation of committing regicide. Moreover, the intimidating imagery of the dagger elevates Macbeth’s feelings of guilt. Before murdering Duncan, he says, “Or else worth all the rest. I see thee still,/And on thy blade and dudgeon gouts of blood,/Which was not so before. There’s no such thing./It is the bloody business which informs/Thus to mine eyes.” (Shakespeare II, i, 46-50). Macbeth experience a moral crises where the hallucination of a bloody dagger embodies his guilty conscience and serves as a subconscious warning from within that there will be no return from knowingly committing this murder. Macbeth is horrified by this yet notes that his ramblings are wearing away his courage to follow through on his goal, “ Whiles I threat, he lives./Words to the heat of deeds too cold breath gives.” (Shakespeare II, i, 61-62). In the end his infatuation with his ambition is more dominant it overpowers his need for honor and loyalty. Lastly, the murder weapon is a vessel of Macbeth’s guilt. It is a constant reminder of the crime that he has committed, and it follows him wherever he goes, whether be in his dreams or in reality; he is unable to escape his guilty subconscious. Macbeth never again takes up a weapon against another after his murder of the King due to his self-reproach and the heavy weight of his guilt placed on the weapon. In distancing himself from and denying his guilt, he acts like a tyrant without honor, until his end when he picks up a sword and rather than fleeing with the rest of his men decides to take one last stand and fight with honor up until his death. This can be seen as his acceptance of the guilt he tried so hard to deny, ultimately leading to his imminent downfall. In conclusion the menacing and tragic symbolism of the dagger is shown to elevate and reinforce the ambition and guilty conscience within the characters.

In conclusion, the play Macbeth portrays how imagery and symbolism are used to demonstrate the devastating and tragic effect of unchecked desires within the main characters. The s