Macbeth - Appearance Vs. Reality And Destruction

At the beginning of the play, the Weird Sisters are preparing to meet with Macbeth, and the important imagery of "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," is first introduced. Throughout the play, the idea of things being other than they seem arises time and again. Soon thereafter, Macbeth himself says "So fair and foul a day I have not seen," implying the witches influence over him. The prophecies of the witches play an important role in this play. The witches prophesies that Macbeth will be Thane of Cawdor and eventually King. Upon hearing this, Macbeths starts, and Banquo replies to this "Good sir, why do you start and seem to fear // Things that do sound so fair?" This is perhaps the moment in which Macbeth realizes his potential and his ambi

it is his own deeds that drives the forces about him. Though Banquo warns him about giving any faith into the witches words, Macbeth chooses to anyway.

As the gentle Duncan arrives to stay at Macbeths castle, the opportunity to dispose of him arises. Ironically, Duncan speaks of the apparent pleasantness of the place that shall serve as his last bed as, "This castle hath a pleasant seat." Before the murder, Macbeth begins to show his internal influences, attempting to hide any suspicions, "Away, and mock the time with fairest show; // False face must hide what the false heart doth know." As Macbeth approaches the moment of the dreadful deed, he sees a floating dagger in the direction of Duncan. Perhaps a manifestation of his mind, appearing to be real, Macbeth says "...or art thou but // A dagger of the mind, a false creation."

In attempt to indirectly hurt the absent Macduff, Macbeth orders the death of his entire family.

Macbeth begins to become more and more deceitful and underhanded as the play progresses, and in fear of Banquo line, decides on his own accord to have Banquo murdered, this time without his wife's urging and without remorse, saying "Banquo, thy soul's flight, // If it find heaven, must find it out tonight." Macbeth does this in an attempt to establish his own line on the throne, in stead of Banquo's, which was prophesied my the Weird Sisters. After Banquo's murder, Macbeth begins to fall apart. He sees apparitions, and become almost haggardly. Lady Macbeth mentions this to him, "...sleek o'er your rugged looks; // Be bright and jovial among your guests tonight." To which Macbeth almost gloats of his deeds, "Present him eminence both with eye and tongue: // Uns

Some topics in this essay:
Lady Macbeth, Weird Sisters, Ironically Duncan, Thane Cawdor, Macbeth King, Thane Fife, Shakespeare's Macbeth, Duncan Banquo, Primarily Macbeth's, Interestingly Macbeth, lady macbeth, weird sisters, macbeth begins, murder macbeth, murder macbeth begins, witches words, thane fife, tonight macbeth, fair foul, banquo murdered, macbeth approaches,