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Blood imagery serves two purposes in Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth. It distinguishes between those who have might and those who rule by right. The following essay will show how the two patterns of imagery develop in the play. The foreboding qualities of blood are first alluded to in Act 1 when King Duncan asks of the messenger, "what bloody man is this?" The implie oath in the archaic use of the word "bloody" points to the unhallowed associations of blood with those who would seize power from rightful authorities. Little does Duncan know he will soon be acquainted with the bloody mindedness of another of his kinsmen. The Thane of Cawdor has already betrayed his allegiance to the king in fighting on the side of the K