The many symbols in Macbeth Shakespeare used clothing both symbolically and as a vehicle for character definition. In Macbeth's case, clothes were often used to symbolize his titles. Symbolic clothing is identified when Ross tells Macbeth of his new title as Thane of Cawdor when Macbeth is unaware of the Thane's treachery, Macbeth: "The Thane of Cawdor lives: why do you dress me in borrowed clothes?" (I, III,108) Symbols using clothing such as borrowed clothes, disguises and disguises are found in several plays where they betray a range of situations from pure malice to dark, treacherous or murderous plots. The symbol appears again when Banquo and Macbeth discuss whether the witches' prophecy about Macbeth becoming king will also come true: "New honors come upon him, like our strange clothes, they do not stick to their pattern But with the help of use. (I,III,144)" Later, when Macbeth shares the news of his promotion with Lady Macbeth, he again speaks with a metaphor of clothing, "Golden opinions from all sorts of people, Which would now be worn in their new luster, No wonder aside so soon. (I,vii,33-34)" Again it is mentioned in (V,ii,21) by Angus, "Nothing in love now hears its title hang on him, like the robe of a giant; Blood as a symbol in the play takes on many different meanings as the story progresses, ranging from virtuous honor to the guilt of murder. The first reference to blood occurs in (I, ii, 1) when Duncan encounters the bloody sergeant and remarks, "What damned man is that?" The man is bleeding after fighting to protect the noble Malcolm, which makes blood a symbol of honor. Blood symbolizes another virtuous trait when it appears again in... middle of paper... examples of this in world dictators, military juntas, and corporate criminals. Thus Macbeth can be seen as having a contemporary meaning. We may now ask why Shakespeare's works enjoy consistent acceptance in most countries of the world and an aura of immortality. Perhaps it is because we see in Shakespeare the mirror of the human condition with which we can all identify and have the feeling that in some strange way his works belong to us. Works Cited I. The Tragedy of Macbeth New Haven: Yale University Press magazine 1954II. Macbeth Total Study Edition by Shakespeare Coles Editorial Board 1990III. Holinshed R. Historie of Scotland (2nd ed. Chronicles of England, Scotland and Ireland 1587) "History of Scotland"IV. Paul. Henry N. The Royal Performance of Macbeth 1950 pp. 213-17V. Bradley AC Shakespearean Tragedy 1912 pp. 468-9