It will have blood they say: blood will have blood

Note: To help remember this recall that Cousin Itt in the Addams family is the hairy one. 

To remember this quote use the following mnemonic.

Cousin Itt will have blood.

What did they say?

I want blood and I will have as much blood as you can take.

"It will have blood they say: blood will have blood." Act 3, scene 4, line 122. Macbeth says this after he sees the ghost of Banquo at the banquet. He is shaken and starting to feel the consequences of his violent actions. 

Meaning 

• "It will have blood they say: blood will have blood." - Macbeth is reflecting on the idea that violence leads to more violence. In other words, if you shed blood, retribution will follow, more blood will be spilled as a consequence. It reflects Macbeth's growing fear that his crimes will catch up with him. 

Exam advice 

• Cycle of violence - Macbeth realises that by killing Banquo and others he is now trapped in a cycle of bloodshed. Violence cannot solve his problems, it only creates more.

• Paranoia and guilt - Macbeth is becoming more fearful and suspicious even of those close to him. He knows that others may now try to take revenge for his crimes.

• Moral and supernatural justice - The phrase suggests that karma or divine justice will bring punishment for murder. Shakespeare may be suggesting evil acts do not go unpunished.

• Foreshadowing - The line foreshadows Macbeth's downfall, just as he murdered others he too will be killed in revenge.