Macbeth shows considerable remorse and guilt after murdering King Duncan. His first expression of remorse occurs in a soliloquy right after the King's body is discovered by Macduff. Macbeth had hoped to be in his chambers with his wife when the body was discovered.
Blood is used as a symbol of guilt throughout the play, as well as an indirect comparison or a metaphor. Guilt haunts Macbeth, both as a ghost that he sees, as well as the heaviness on his conscious. Lady Macbeth's guilt causes her to sleepwalk and be haunted by Duncan's blood that she cannot 'clean' her hands of.
