Shakespeares Macbeth - Appearance versus Reality - Quote Analysis :: essays research papers

Fair is foul, and foul is fair, a phrase that has become synonym with Macbeth. It is also the introduction to one of the roughly important themes of this tragedy appearance and reality. Shakespeare uses various characters and situations to emphasize this confusion between the real and the surreal, the authentic and the fake, the act and the sincere. In order to discuss this theme, different characters pass on be looked at in the first paragraph, the Witches, in the second, Duncan and in the third, Lady Macbeth.The Witches introduce the theme with the infamous phrase Fair is foul, and foul is fair (scene 1, air 11) in the first scene. Its functional for the Witches to say this in the beginning of the book, as they are the start of all the perplexity. They become the core of confusion when they fire Macbeths ambition and transform his perspective of good and evil, making bad things look good and good things look bad. Ironically in connection with this, Banquo warns Macbeth, lure us with honest trifles, to betrays In deepest consequence (1/3/125-126). The Witches continue to speak in contradicting language, such as lesser than Macbeth, and greater (1/3/65) and Not so happy, yet much happier (1/3/66) that adds to the sense of moral confusion, by implying that nothing is quite what it seems. Banquos warning is fulfilled at the abate of the play when the Witches had won Macbeths trust with prophecies that became true honest trifles- and then betray him in the things that really mattered, his life and his country -deepest consequence- to win his invigorate for hell.Until his death, King Duncan was misled by Macbeths false loyalty. When the Thane of Cawdor had been found guilty of being a traitor and was hanged, King Duncan thought so highly of Macbeth, that he gave the backup to him. The Thane then ironically dies with pride while Macbeth dies a foe of Scotland. The King was under the impression that Macbeth was a loyal and brave soldier, calling him O worthi est first cousin (1/4/14), but Macbeth was actually already planning to kill the King, whose murder yet is but fantastical (1/3/139). Even when Duncan goes to visit Macbeth, he praises the rooks pleasant environment and hospitality, This castle hath a pleasant seat (1/5/1), but is totally unaware of Macbeths plans to murder him.From the first judgment of conviction we meet Lady Macbeth, we get the impression of a strong-willed and bold person, an ideal wife.