Appearance vs. Reality in Macbeth
In life, Appearance is how and what someone appears to be; judging people on what is on the outside, it is basically how it seems. Reality is the real version of something to deal with. Appearance versus reality is a very important theme in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In this play, there are three characters that are deceived by what appears to be real, and the tragic consequences that follow this error in judgment. They are King Duncan, who trusted Macbeth too much; Lady Macbeth, who got tricked by the three witches and herself; and Macbeth, who got tricked by the witches and the people around him.
King Duncan trusted Macbeth too much; Macbeth appears like a wounded captain’s account of his battlefield valor, our initial impression is of a brave and capable warrior in front of King Duncan. However, we were all deceived. In the first act, the traitor of Scotland, Macdonwald, who fought against King Duncan was defeated and killed by Macbeth. King Duncan states “Go pronounce his present death/ And with his former title greet Macbeth.” (Shakespeare 1. 2. 73-74). This quotation pictures King Duncan trusting Macbeth a lot and thining he is truly faithful because he was the hero of Scotland, so he gave Macbeth the title, Thane of Cawdor. However, in reality, Macbeth is not faithful to King Duncan. Macbeth led wicked thoughts by the prophecies of three witches, especially after their prophecy that he will become Thane of Cawdor and it came true. When Macbeth is back to in his castle, Lady Macbeth and him was planning to assassinate King Duncan; at the same time, King Duncan wanted to go to Macbeth’s castle to visit him. While King Duncan is on his way to Macbeth’s castle, he said:
“This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses” (Shakespeare 1. 6. 1-3).
This quotation shows that how appearance versus reality works. On the appearance side, King Duncan really likes Macbeth; he is praising that Macbeth’s castle
King Duncan trusted Macbeth too much; Macbeth appears like a wounded captain’s account of his battlefield valor, our initial impression is of a brave and capable warrior in front of King Duncan. However, we were all deceived. In the first act, the traitor of Scotland, Macdonwald, who fought against King Duncan was defeated and killed by Macbeth. King Duncan states “Go pronounce his present death/ And with his former title greet Macbeth.” (Shakespeare 1. 2. 73-74). This quotation pictures King Duncan trusting Macbeth a lot and thining he is truly faithful because he was the hero of Scotland, so he gave Macbeth the title, Thane of Cawdor. However, in reality, Macbeth is not faithful to King Duncan. Macbeth led wicked thoughts by the prophecies of three witches, especially after their prophecy that he will become Thane of Cawdor and it came true. When Macbeth is back to in his castle, Lady Macbeth and him was planning to assassinate King Duncan; at the same time, King Duncan wanted to go to Macbeth’s castle to visit him. While King Duncan is on his way to Macbeth’s castle, he said:
“This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air
Nimbly and sweetly recommends itself
Unto our gentle senses” (Shakespeare 1. 6. 1-3).
This quotation shows that how appearance versus reality works. On the appearance side, King Duncan really likes Macbeth; he is praising that Macbeth’s castle