Appearances are tempting because it allows the viewers to see what they want. Nevertheless, there is always a dark truth behind every appearance, waiting to punish whoever plays the fool. In Macbeth, Shakespeare provides many examples of appearance versus reality that characters experience, which reveals the consequences of falling for a lie. Despite King Duncan understanding the deceptive nature of appearance, he is ultimately murdered after being exploited by perfidious appearances. Interestingly, Macbeth uses deceitful appearances to hurt others, although he also suffers from the consequences after he is tricked by his own strategy. However, unlike the other two, Malcolm is able to avoid the same mistakes as Duncan and Macbeth. Though examining
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The first example of Macbeth failing to recognise the difference between appearance and reality is when he approaches the witches a second time and demands for more prophecies. The witches create an apparition that provides him with equivocal answers; however, Macbeth assumes he will be invincible without any hesitation: “…none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.88-89). Macbeth believes that since all men are born from women, no one will be able to harm him. In reality, he is does not realize how he is manipulated by the witches’ equivocation. From his assumption, Macbeth becomes arrogant until he realises that Macduff is not truly born from a woman, but rather, a cesarean section. His inability to see the reality from the prophecy unfortunately culminates in his demise. Furthermore, Macbeth is also unable to see the reality from a second prophecy that the witches give about the Birnam forest. He reassures himself that, “‘Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane, [he] cannot taint with fear” (5.3.2-3). This is another equivocation that Macbeth misinterprets. He believes Birnam wood refers to the actual forest, but he misses the second meaning. He does not catch that Birnam wood can also refer to the actual wood, which is what Malcolm’s army cuts down and uses as cover to invade Dunsinane. Macbeth misinterprets the …show more content…
For example, when Macduff pledges his loyalty to Malcolm and suggests to restore Scotland by defeating Macbeth, Malcolm uses appearance to test Macduff’s true intention: “…your wives, your daughters, Your matrons, your maids could not fill up / The cistern of my lust” (4.3.70-72). Malcolm is able to use appearance to defend himself, and trick whoever is not perspective enough to see behind his act. Rather than falling for the appearance that Macduff may have, Malcolm identifies it and uses it as well. He creates the appearance that he is a horrendous and lustful person in order to prevent himself from making the potential mistake of trusting Macduff. As a result, he can avoid making decisions that would possibly endanger his life. In addition, Malcolm also uses appearance to make himself seem like a despicable person in order to protect himself other potential deceits: “That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth / Will seem as pure as snow” (4.3.59-60). By comparing himself to Macbeth, Malcolm makes himself seem even more malovent than the enemy. Though painting himself as someone who is worse than the worst, Malcolm uses appearance to mislead Macduff into revealing who he really works for. His plan works, and Macduff’s true intentions is revealed. Malcolm ingeniously uses appearance to protect him from being betrayed. Ultimately, since Malcolm is
The first example of Macbeth failing to recognise the difference between appearance and reality is when he approaches the witches a second time and demands for more prophecies. The witches create an apparition that provides him with equivocal answers; however, Macbeth assumes he will be invincible without any hesitation: “…none of woman born / Shall harm Macbeth” (4.1.88-89). Macbeth believes that since all men are born from women, no one will be able to harm him. In reality, he is does not realize how he is manipulated by the witches’ equivocation. From his assumption, Macbeth becomes arrogant until he realises that Macduff is not truly born from a woman, but rather, a cesarean section. His inability to see the reality from the prophecy unfortunately culminates in his demise. Furthermore, Macbeth is also unable to see the reality from a second prophecy that the witches give about the Birnam forest. He reassures himself that, “‘Till Birnam Wood remove to Dunsinane, [he] cannot taint with fear” (5.3.2-3). This is another equivocation that Macbeth misinterprets. He believes Birnam wood refers to the actual forest, but he misses the second meaning. He does not catch that Birnam wood can also refer to the actual wood, which is what Malcolm’s army cuts down and uses as cover to invade Dunsinane. Macbeth misinterprets the …show more content…
For example, when Macduff pledges his loyalty to Malcolm and suggests to restore Scotland by defeating Macbeth, Malcolm uses appearance to test Macduff’s true intention: “…your wives, your daughters, Your matrons, your maids could not fill up / The cistern of my lust” (4.3.70-72). Malcolm is able to use appearance to defend himself, and trick whoever is not perspective enough to see behind his act. Rather than falling for the appearance that Macduff may have, Malcolm identifies it and uses it as well. He creates the appearance that he is a horrendous and lustful person in order to prevent himself from making the potential mistake of trusting Macduff. As a result, he can avoid making decisions that would possibly endanger his life. In addition, Malcolm also uses appearance to make himself seem like a despicable person in order to protect himself other potential deceits: “That, when they shall be opened, black Macbeth / Will seem as pure as snow” (4.3.59-60). By comparing himself to Macbeth, Malcolm makes himself seem even more malovent than the enemy. Though painting himself as someone who is worse than the worst, Malcolm uses appearance to mislead Macduff into revealing who he really works for. His plan works, and Macduff’s true intentions is revealed. Malcolm ingeniously uses appearance to protect him from being betrayed. Ultimately, since Malcolm is