The phrase "a little water clears us of this deed" is uttered by Lady Macbeth in William Shakespeare's tragic play Macbeth, and it signifies her initial, deeply flawed belief that merely washing the physical blood from their hands will absolve them of the guilt and consequences of King Duncan's murder.
Context and Immediate Meaning
Lady Macbeth speaks these words to her husband, Macbeth, shortly after he has committed the regicide. He is consumed by immediate horror and guilt, seeing his blood-stained hands as a permanent mark of his crime. In stark contrast, Lady Macbeth, attempting to maintain composure and control the situation, views the act with a more pragmatic, albeit ruthless, mindset.
- Reassurance and Practicality: Her primary aim is to reassure Macbeth and convince him that the physical evidence of the crime can be easily erased. She believes that by washing away King Duncan's blood, they will prevent anyone from connecting them to the murder.
- Misconception of Guilt: Crucially, she makes the grave mistake of assuming that this simple act of physical cleansing will also free them from all guilt. She believes that external appearances are sufficient to cover internal transgressions.
Deeper Implications and Themes
While on the surface the line suggests a quick and easy solution, its true meaning is deeply ironic and serves to highlight several key themes within the play:
- The Nature of Guilt: The line dramatically foreshadows the psychological torment that both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth will eventually endure. It reveals Lady Macbeth's initial underestimation of the indelible stain that a heinous act leaves on the conscience, contrasting sharply with Macbeth's immediate, profound sense of moral contamination.
- Macbeth's View: Macbeth famously laments that "all great Neptune’s ocean" cannot wash his hands clean, but will instead "rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red." This demonstrates his immediate understanding that the guilt is not merely physical, but spiritual and psychological.
- Lady Macbeth's Illusion: Her assertion that "a little water clears us" reflects a dangerous naiveté regarding the true weight of their actions.
- Appearance Versus Reality: This quote perfectly encapsulates the theme of appearance versus reality. Lady Macbeth suggests that by making their hands appear clean, they can maintain an outward facade of innocence, regardless of the horrific reality of their deed. This highlights the deceptive nature of outward show.
- Dramatic Irony: The audience knows, with chilling certainty, that Lady Macbeth's confidence is tragically misplaced. Her eventual descent into madness, characterized by her obsessive attempts to wash away imagined bloodstains (famously in the "Out, damned spot!" scene), directly refutes her earlier assertion. This creates powerful dramatic irony, as her own words come back to haunt her.
Summary of Meaning
The table below summarizes the literal and symbolic interpretations of Lady Macbeth's famous line:
| Aspect | Literal Meaning | Symbolic Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| "A little water" | Washing physical blood from hands | Attempted cleansing of conscience or moral stain |
| "Clears us" | Removing evidence; avoiding detection | Escaping guilt; achieving peace of mind |
| "Of this deed" | The act of murdering King Duncan | The moral culpability and psychological burden |
In essence, "a little water clears us of this deed" means that Lady Macbeth believes a small, practical act of washing their hands will eliminate both the physical evidence and the psychological burden of their crime, making them free from suspicion and guilt. This belief, however, is presented as deeply mistaken and leads to tragic consequences.
