appearance vs reality essay macbeth

Macbeth Appearance vs Reality Essay

Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare that is set in Scotland. The story follows Macbeth, who is Thane of Glamis, as he becomes Thane of Cawdor and then King of Scotland. Macbeth is a tragic figure who starts out as a good man, but is corrupted by his own ambition and ends up killing Duncan, the rightful king, to take his place.

One of the main themes of Macbeth is appearance vs reality. Macbeth is constantly being confronted with the idea that things may not be what they seem. This is most notable in the scene where Macduff confronts Macbeth about the murder of Duncan. Macduff tells Macbeth that he knows Macbeth is responsible for the murder, and Macbeth responds by trying to kill Macduff. Macduff manages to escape, and Macbeth is left with the realization that he has been caught.

Macbeth is also constantly being confronted with his own guilt. He knows that he is guilty of murder, and he can never quite shake the feeling that someone is going to find out what he has done. This leads to a feeling of paranoia and insecurity that ultimately drives him mad.

The theme of appearance vs reality is particularly relevant in Macbeth because it explores the idea of how easily people can be deceived. Macbeth is a perfect example of this, as he is easily manipulated by Lady Macbeth and Macduff manages to fool him into thinking that he is not a threat. This theme is still relevant today, as it speaks to the way that we often try to hide our true selves from others.

The theme of appearance versus reality is illustrated at the start of act 1 when Macbeth talks to the King and becomes a Thane. “Let light not glimpse my dark and deep desires” (1 . 4.59) says Macbeth. Macbeth confesses that he wants to kill King Duncan and seize the Scottish throne in this case.

Macbeth is pretending to be something he’s not, he is putting on an appearance. Macbeth knows that appearing as a loyal and honest subject will give him what he wants, whereas if his true intentions were revealed, he would not be able to gain anything.

Later in the play, Macbeth’s wife Lady Macbeth also talks about the importance of appearances. She says “that which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet” (5.1.17-18). In this quote, Lady Macbeth is saying that it doesn’t matter what something is called, it will always smell the same. This quote is significant because it shows that Lady Macbeth is willing to do whatever it takes to make Macbeth look good, even if it means killing people. Lady Macbeth knows that appearances are important, and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make Macbeth look like a good king.

Later in the play, Macduff confronts Macbeth about the murders he has committed. Macduff says “thyself I speak not, nor defend: the tyrant’s raiders are amok; infected blood they have shed” (4.3.187-189). In this quote, Macduff is saying that Macbeth is a tyrant and has killed many innocent people. Macduff knows that Macbeth is a murderer, but Macbeth still tries to maintain his appearance as a good king. Macbeth is trying to keep up the facade that everything is okay, even though he knows that he is a murderer.

At the end of the play, Macbeth’s true colours are finally revealed. He says “Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury Signifying nothing” (5.5.28-33).

Macbeth is saying that life is meaningless and that everything is just an act. He knows that he is a murderer and that he will be punished for his crimes. Macbeth’s appearance versus reality is finally revealed to the audience, and they see that he is not the good king that he pretends to be. Macbeth is finally exposed as the tyrant that he is, and his true colours are shown to everyone.

The tragedy of Macbeth is defined by a contradiction between appearance and reality, as well as the deception that may result from this. The outward façade of the Macbeths as trustworthy and innocent aids them in carrying out their plan to kill Duncan and seize the throne.

Macbeth, in particular, is good at hiding his true intentions behind a mask of politeness and ​courtesy. However, as the play progresses it becomes clear that Macbeth is not what he seems, and his gradual descent into evil is mirrored by the deterioration of his physical appearance. Blood starts to pour from his wounds, and his face becomes disfigured and mottled. In the end, Macbeth can no longer hide the reality of his crimes, and he is revealed as the murderous villain that he truly is.

The lesson that Macbeth teaches us is that it is important to be aware of the difference between appearance and reality, and to never take things at face value. Reality can be much darker than it seems, and we need to be careful not to be deceived by appearances. Macbeth is a cautionary tale of the dangers of letting your guard down, and the consequences that can result from being blinded by greed and ambition.

Appearances are what something appears to be or how someone appears to be. On the other side, however, the truth is that things exist as they are. This emphasizes the distinction between truth and appearance. The reality is the fact, but the appearance is merely what something looks like.

Macbeth is a play that revolves around the dichotomy of appearance vs reality. Macbeth, the title character, is a warrior who is then named the Thane of Cawdor by the king. Macbeth meets three witches who prophesy that he will be become the king. Macbeth then murders King Duncan in order to take his place. Macbeth’s wife, Lady Macbeth, plays an important role in Macbeth’s rise to power and eventual downfall.

She urges her husband to kill Duncan and later cleans up his mess. Lady Macbeth shows herself as a strong and determined woman, but she is ultimately undone by her guilt. Macbeth’s reign as king is short-lived and he is eventually killed by Macduff. Macbeth’s story highlights the dangers of letting appearances deceive one into thinking that all is as it seems.

One of the most important aspects of Macbeth is the theme of appearance vs reality. Macbeth is a play about a man who is fooled by the appearances that he sees. He is swayed by what he thinks is reality, but it turns out to be nothing more than an illusion. This is most clearly shown in the scene where Macbeth meets the witches for the first time. The witches tell Macbeth that he will be king and this gives him the idea to kill Duncan in order to take his place.

Macbeth only sees what he wants to see and this leads to his downfall. Macbeth is not the only one who is fooled by appearances. Lady Macbeth is also taken in by them. She is convinced that her husband can do no wrong and she helps him cover up his crime. Lady Macbeth is later undone by her guilt and she kills herself.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Macbeth — Appearance And Reality in Macbeth Analysis

Appearance and Reality in Macbeth Analysis

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Published: Mar 6, 2024

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Characterization of macbeth, characterization of lady macbeth, characterization of the witches, symbolism and imagery.

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Notes on Appearance vs Reality in Macbeth by William Shakespeare

The contradiction between appearance and reality is repeated throughout the play. In the very first scene, the three witches utter together that fair is foul and foul is fair.

The play blurs the distinction between what situations and individuals look like and what they really are. The tragedy in the play functions from such dichotomies.

The three witches are different for Macbeth from who they really are. It is Macbeth whom they manipulate because he is not what he appears to be. In reality, he nurtures destabilising ambition.

The very first differing degree of appearance and reality is spilt by the three witches. Whatever they predict isn’t what it sounds like. Their half-truth deceives Macbeth.

From then he successfully hides what he really is. Unlike what Lady Macbeth accuses him of, his face is no more a book on which one can read the inner thoughts.

When King Duncan arrives at the castle of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth literally acts so deceptively it is impossible to know that she is also plotting to get him murdered that very night.

From what it appears as Macbeth is unable to know the realities of those half-truths and slips into a false assurance regarding his invincibility. From appearance alone, Macduff looks like someone who cowardly abandons his family but, in the end, he is the one who avenges and the order return to the hands of Malcolm .

Macbeth Appearance Vs. Reality Essay Plan

Intro paragraph: In a riveting play laden with the supernatural, nothing is as it outwardly appears to the naked eye. Tension, mystery, dread and ambiguity pervade the drama. Using the theme of appearance vs reality, Shakespeare delves deep into the darker side of humanity and the inner plotting/scheming of the human mind.

1) Witches: the witches set the scene for confusion and illusion in the play. They successfully manage to mislead, cheat and incite evil throughout Scotland via deliberately ambiguous and misleading language. Even their physical appearance is contradictory and perturbing.

Fair is foul and foul is fair Lesser than Macbeth and greater You should be women and yet your beards forbid me to interpret Look not like the inhabitants of the wart yet are on’t (Last 2 are both Banquo) This supernatural soliciting cannot be be ill, cannot be good (Macbeth)  

2) Duncan’s naive and misplaced trust shows that none can be believed or truly relied upon. The dramatic irony between himself and Macbeth as well as his dismissal of Donalbain’s advice are key.

Absolute trust There’s no art to find the minds construction in the face (Duncan) There’s daggers in men’s smiles (Donalbain) More is thy due then all can pay (Duncan to Macbeth) Valiant cousin Black and deep desires (Macbeth)  

3) Lady Macbeth is the foremost example and epitome of deceit and false appearances. Inwardly she is consumed with a lust for power but outwardly maintains a masquerade of a loving and subservient wife.

Fill me from the crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty Take my milk for gall you murdering ministers Too full o’ the milk of human kindness Look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under’t My keen knife not see the wound it makes Honour’d hostess (Duncan)  

4) Macbeth fools Duncan and carries out his coup against him. In the aftermath of the murder he abandons his once dearly held principles and lies to the assembly. Maintains his reputation while secretly corrupted by his own delusions of grandeur by building up a masquerade of selfless devotion and martyrdom.

Is this a dagger I see before me? (Supernatural helps Macbeth to carry out the murder) I do repent me of my fury that I did kill them (the two guards he framed for the murder) Had I but died an hour before this chance I had lived a blessed time  

5) Banquo is the most subtle example of appearance vs reality. He successfully hides his ambition. Unlike the others his mask is never unveiled due to his untimely demise at the hands of Macbeth.

Noble Banquo Too cruel anywhere (the murder) Bosom franchised and allegiance clear I fight of treasonous malice I fear thou playd’st most foully for it May they not be my oracles as well? But hush! No more.  

6) Even the forces of good who oppose Macbeth are drawn into deception and appearance vs reality. The princes are falsely accused if Duncan’s murder. Malcolm is forced to lie to Macduff to test his loyalty and convictions. Very important paragraph, most people will overlook it.

Stolen away and fled which puts upon them suspicion of the deed His flight was madness (Macduff’s wife scorns his exile) A good and virtuous nature may recoil under an imperial charge Confound unity on earth My more having will be as a sauce to make me hunger more  

7) Macbeth himself is undone by his association with the witches. The equivocation of the witches give him a false sense of security and superiority which ultimately makes him very vulnerable to being overthrown.

Macbeth shall never be vanquished Great Birnam wood Shall come against him None of woman born shall harm Macbeth (All witches) Damned all the trust them Golden opinions I cannot taint with fear (All Macbeth)