William Shakespeare’s popular play Macbeth, a tragedy written in the early 1600s, exhibits a variety of themes. One of those themes is the deceptive nature of appearances, which is demonstrated by several different characters throughout the play. To be more specific, Shakespeare develops the theme that those who try to deceive others in an ignoble manner, trying to be perceived in a different way than what they really are, there are consequences. The truth eventually comes out, and those who deceive others often get what they deserve. Macbeth, Lady Macbeth and several other secondary characters in Macbeth acted in a deceitful manner numerous times throughout the play, resulting in tragedy. Lady Macbeth is a perfect example of a character
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Deception can also be used for noble purposes. For example, Macduff is a character who used deception in a noble manner. Macduff says “Despair thy charm, and let the angel whom thou still hast served, tell thee Macduff was from his mother’s womb, untimely ripped.” (5.8 17-20) Macbeth originally assumed that Macduff was born of a woman, however in reality, Macduff was born by a Cesarean section. This means that despite what Macbeth had been told, he can be killed by Macduff, he is not invincible. At the end of the play, Macduff kills and beheads Macbeth, giving him what he ultimately deserved. Macduff is rewarded for his nobility, as he gets to live. The witches also use deception, possibly for noble purposes. When they meet Macbeth, the first witch says “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!” (1.3 50) The second witch says “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!” (1.3 51-52) and the third witch says “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3 53) This leads to Macbeth trying to obtain these titles, thinking that they are rightfully his. Although the witches appear to be using deception for evil purposes, the way I interpret this part is that they were trying to teach him a lesson not to be blinded by ambition. The witches use of deception towards Macbeth led to a lot of the rash decisions he made, however, it also led to his death. Because of the witches noble use of deception, Macbeth got what he ultimately deserved. Another character who used deception for noble purposes is Malcolm. He did not know if he could trust Macduff or not, so he used deception as a strategy to test the waters. He has learned from the mistakes of his father not to be naive- things that appear good may be bad, and things that appear to be bad may be good. Malcolm says, “It is myself I mean, in whom I know all the
Deception can also be used for noble purposes. For example, Macduff is a character who used deception in a noble manner. Macduff says “Despair thy charm, and let the angel whom thou still hast served, tell thee Macduff was from his mother’s womb, untimely ripped.” (5.8 17-20) Macbeth originally assumed that Macduff was born of a woman, however in reality, Macduff was born by a Cesarean section. This means that despite what Macbeth had been told, he can be killed by Macduff, he is not invincible. At the end of the play, Macduff kills and beheads Macbeth, giving him what he ultimately deserved. Macduff is rewarded for his nobility, as he gets to live. The witches also use deception, possibly for noble purposes. When they meet Macbeth, the first witch says “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Glamis!” (1.3 50) The second witch says “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, thane of Cawdor!” (1.3 51-52) and the third witch says “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.” (1.3 53) This leads to Macbeth trying to obtain these titles, thinking that they are rightfully his. Although the witches appear to be using deception for evil purposes, the way I interpret this part is that they were trying to teach him a lesson not to be blinded by ambition. The witches use of deception towards Macbeth led to a lot of the rash decisions he made, however, it also led to his death. Because of the witches noble use of deception, Macbeth got what he ultimately deserved. Another character who used deception for noble purposes is Malcolm. He did not know if he could trust Macduff or not, so he used deception as a strategy to test the waters. He has learned from the mistakes of his father not to be naive- things that appear good may be bad, and things that appear to be bad may be good. Malcolm says, “It is myself I mean, in whom I know all the