My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white.
In Shakespeare's "Macbeth," the quote "My hands are of your color, but I shame to wear a heart so white" reflects a deep sense of guilt and moral conflict. The character who utters this line is grappling with the consequences of their actions, highlighting the theme of ambition and the corrupting power it can wield. The imagery of the hands being stained with blood signifies complicity in wrongdoing, while the reference to a “heart so white” implies purity and innocence, creating a stark contrast.
This tension between appearance and reality is central to the play. The character acknowledges their involvement in heinous deeds while feeling unworthy of the innocence they once possessed. This internal struggle encapsulates the psychological turmoil that characters in "Macbeth" face as they descend into moral corruption. The line serves as a poignant reminder of how ambition can overshadow integrity, leading to tragedy and despair.
