Bellona's Bridegroom

• "Till that Bellona's bridegroom, lapped in proof / Confronted him with self-comparisons / Point gainst point, rebellious arm 'gainst arm / Curbing his lavish spirit"
• Courage and bravery are themes which continue to emerge throughout the play, and Shakespeare's comparison to Bellona portrays Macbeth as a true warrior.
• Bellona was the Roman goddess of war. (Her name is derived from the Latin word 'bellum' meaning 'war').
• It is believed that Bellona used to inspire a warlike frenzy, in which Roman legionnaires would fight with uncontrolled hysteria and rage.
• Such was her influence, that a festival named Dies Sanguinis (Day of Blood) took place in Rome every year, and was also known as Bellona's Day. Devout aficionados and priests would cut themselves and drink the sacrificial blood to propitiate the goddess.
• A Shakespearean audience would have been familiar with the reference and the implied ruthlessness with which Macbeth fought.