The Symbolism of Blood in Macbeth The Symbol of Blood in Macbeth Blood is known to represent most often injury and death, but also life. Blood is an essential part of life, and without blood, we could not live. This is common knowledge, and because of this, when Shakespeare uses the symbol of blood to represent treason, murder, and death, it is easily understood and fits in perfectly with the ideas we have of blood. Blood is mentioned often in the play and most times in reference to murder or treason. The first evil reference to blood is in Act 2, Scene 1, when Macbeth sees the dagger floating in the air leading him to Dunc